CHARLES ARMSTRONG ‘CHICK’ CHAPIN
Feb. 27, 1921 – May 31, 2015 
Charles Armstrong Chapin was many things: a World War II veteran, an accomplished attorney, a lover of classical music, an involved member of his community and a beloved husband and father. But above all else, Charles Chapin was a horseman.
Charles (“Chick” to everyone who knew him) was born in Springfield to Judge Roger and Mildred Armstrong Chapin in 1921. Chick was horse-crazy even as a child, and at age 8, he sold his bicycle and used the proceeds to buy his first pony, named Roany, which he kept in the back yard. As a teenager, Chick began riding for the Brunk family, famous breeders of Morgan horses.
After graduating from Springfield High School, Chick enrolled in Carleton College, where he studied economics. At that time, the college’s equestrian program was set up primarily for female students, but Chick worked in the stable and was eventually hired as a riding instructor. He also started doing trick riding at festivals and exhibitions, awing crowds with his ability to pick up a handkerchief off the ground without losing his mount and to ride two horses with one foot on each of their backs.
Chick graduated college with honors in 1942, while the country was in the depths of World War II. He enlisted in the Marines and became an artillery officer. He spent the first part of the war as an artillery instructor at Quantico (Virginia) Marine Corps Base where he played polo during his free time. During the latter part of the war Chick was sent to the South Pacific, where he took part in several engagements, including the Okinawa campaign in 1945. When the war was over, Chick was sent to China for a time, where he rode Mongolian ponies.
When he returned stateside, Chick earned his law degree from the University of Michigan and returned to Springfield in 1950 to join his father and brother at the law firm of Chapin & Chapin. He purchased a horse and spent much of his free time at the stables, where his horsemanship skills caught the eye of a young girl with her own affi nity for horses.
“As a horse-crazy girl I immediately developed a crush, made sure I would ‘run into him’ when he rode out and was thrilled when he would put my bike in the trunk of his car and give me a ride home from the stable,” said the former Nancy Lanphier.
At age 12, Nancy told her mother she would marry that handsome horseman.
Eight years later, her prophecy came true: Nancy Lanphier became Nancy Chapin on June 26, 1958.
Three children soon followed – Anne in 1959, Bill in 1961 and Sarah (called Sally) in 1963. Soon after Anne was born, Chick and Nancy moved out into the country so they could keep horses at home. The family shared Chick’s love of horses.
“We had weekend rides for most of my childhood,” said Anne. “Of all the little girls who love horses, there are very few with horse-crazy dads. I am one of the lucky ones as my dad not only loved horses, but he was also a good horseman with a wide range of skills.”
Throughout his adult life, Chick remained devoted to horses. He bred and trained his own horses, and then rode those horses in competitions all over the country, often taking his children with him. The Chapins hosted 15 regional and national competitions at their farm. Chick not only organized them, he built all the jumps himself. In 1994, he served as an official staff person for the equestrian sports at the 1994 Olympics in Los Angeles, raising eyebrows when he traded his customary jacket and tie for the Olympic orange, pink and white track suit.
Chick’s passion for horses did not diminish later in life. Beginning in his late 60s, he made it a habit to saddle a horse every morning and ride out to the mailbox to fetch the morning paper before showering and dressing for work. He continued this habit until he was in his late 80s.
Chick Chapin also holds the distinction of being a six-time member of the Dressage Foundation’s Century Club. Century Club riders are individuals who complete a dressage test on a horse whose age plus their own equals 100 years or more. Chick performed Century rides in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003, when he was 76, 78, 79, 81, and 82 years old. For the 1999 and 2003 rides, Chick wore his World War II Marine Artillery Captain’s uniform, which still fit him after six decades.
In addition to his lifelong passion for horses, Chick was a tireless volunteer in his community. He led a Boy Scout troop and served on several boards, including the YMCA, the Springfield Symphony, and the Chatham school board. He was a loving husband to his wife and father to his children and the favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews.
“I was the very luckiest of people in that I spent 58 years married to the most wonderful man in the world,” Nancy said.
Erika Holst is Curator of Collections at the Springfi eld Art Association.
