PAUL DUNBAR CHAPMAN
1953-2017
Paul Dunbar Chapman passed away Wednesday, November 29, surrounded by his loving family after a brief struggle with cancer. A beloved and dedicated friend, father, grandfather, husband, and Houstonian, Paul gave unstintingly of himself to the people and the city he loved. Paul’s gusto for life knew no bounds. He traveled the globe, surfed on three continents, and had friends the world over.
Born in Houston in 1953 to Erminie and David Chapman, Paul attended St. John’s School, Rice University, and the Wharton School of Business. He fell in love with his wife and partner of over 35 years, Cathy, when they met on the beach in Mexico as teenagers. He is also survived by his mother Erminie; his son Dillon, Dillon’s wife Valeria, and granddaughter Isabel; his son Taylor and Taylor’s wife Jessica; and his five sisters – Ann, Carrie, Crista, Clara, and Ruth – and their families.
In his professional and civic lives, Paul loved to build. After a career in real estate and construction management, he joined Belmont Village as Chief Development Officer and founding partner in 1996 and built the company for 21 years. Belmont is now one of America’s premier senior living companies, with over 25 communities across the U.S. and Mexico.
He loved the city of Houston and worked all his life to make it a better place. He served on the boards of the Houston Zoo and Houston Center for Photography; he was chair or vice chair of the boards of Scenic Houston, the Urban Land Institute’s Senior Housing Council, St. John’s School, and Teach for America-Houston.
His boundless energy shone through in his numerous hobbies: photography, surfing, quail hunting, reading, fine wine and cigars, fly fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, badminton, and tennis. He was a beloved mentor to dozens of his children’s friends and shaped hundreds of lives. Above all, he will be remembered for the joy he gave to every single person whose life he touched: he was known for his exuberant and infectious sense of humor, warmth, wit, generosity, storytelling, and remarkable hosting prowess.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, December 2, at the Great Hall of St. John’s School, 2401 Claremont Lane. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages well-wishers to donate to M.D. Anderson or one of Paul’s favorite charities, such as Scenic Houston, Teach for America, or St. John’s School.