Robert Dunlap Chaplin III

Robert D. “Bob” Chaplin III, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, soldier, and friend, lived a remarkable life defined by courage, service, professional excellence, and a heart that was often bigger than he let on. Born on April 6, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, to Sue Ellen and Robert Chaplin, Bob built a distinguished career in military aviation and aerospace safety while maintaining a lifelong love of family, sports, travel, and animals.

Bob was a soldier in every sense of the word. During the Vietnam War, he served as a scout helicopter pilot, flying missions in dangerous conditions. On one mission, his helicopter was struck by enemy fire, and despite being critically wounded, Bob managed to set the aircraft down safely on a nearby beach rather than crash. His actions under extraordinary circumstances reflected the courage, skill, and determination that would characterize his military career.

Over the course of 22 years of service in the United States Army, Bob attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring from military service. Throughout his career, he held numerous positions of responsibility and leadership. He served as an Engineering Test Pilot with the U.S. Army Aviation Engineering Flight Activity, Chief of the System Safety Office with the U.S. Army Aviation Research and Development Command, and Safety Director for the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command. He was also a dual-rated Master Army Aviator with more than 3,500 flight hours, a testament to his extensive experience and expertise in aviation. His military career represented a lifetime of dedication to his fellow soldiers, the advancement of aviation, and the safety of those who served.

Following his retirement from the Army, Bob continued his work in aviation and aerospace with Bell Helicopter, where he spent another 24 years in a variety of technical and leadership roles. His responsibilities included Engineering Specialist in Test and Evaluation, Manager of LH(X) Airworthiness, V-22 Flight Test Safety Engineer, Group Engineer in System Safety, Technical Resource Specialist in Flight Safety, Contract Flight Safety Officer at the Amarillo Assembly Facility, and Contract Safety Engineer with the Flight Safety Group. Through these positions, Bob continued to contribute his knowledge and experience to the development, testing, and safe operation of complex aircraft.

Bob’s professional accomplishments were supported by an equally impressive commitment to education and lifelong learning. He earned his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1962, followed by graduation from the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School in 1971. He later earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Utah in 1976 and graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in 1977. In 1980, he completed the U.S. Air Force/University of Southern California System Safety Course, further strengthening his expertise in aviation safety and engineering.

Despite his impressive accomplishments, Bob was never defined solely by his career. Those who knew him understood that he could sometimes come across as grumpy, but beneath that exterior was a man with a big heart. He had a distinctive personality and his own way of showing affection, leaving those closest to him with plenty of memories of his humor, opinions, and unmistakable character.

Bob was an enthusiastic sports fan who particularly enjoyed watching his beloved Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Oklahoma Sooners. He also enjoyed model trains and traveling, always finding something of interest in the world around him. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his puppy, Rosie. A devoted animal lover, Bob had a special affection for animals, a quality that reflected the caring side of his personality.

Family remained an important part of Bob’s life. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judy Chaplin, and later found love and companionship with his wife, Jan Foster-Chaplin. He is survived by Jan; his children, Michelle Dickinson and her husband, Bryant, and Paul Chaplin and his wife, Kerry; his grandchildren, Lauren Thomason, Koryn Wahl, and Kylie Chaplin; and his brother, Norm Chaplin and wife Toni, and his stepdaughter, Lydia Foster;

Bob leaves behind a legacy of courage, leadership, technical achievement, and dedicated service to his country. As a retired Lieutenant Colonel and Master Army Aviator, he devoted 22 years to serving his country, followed by more than two decades advancing aviation safety in the aerospace industry. From the skies over Vietnam to a distinguished career in aviation engineering and safety, his life reflected a commitment to precision, sound judgment, and extraordinary responsibility. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he will be remembered by his family and friends for his strong personality, his many interests, his love of animals, and the big heart that those who knew him best understood.

A memorial service celebrating Bob’s life will be held at New World United Methodist Church in Arlington, Texas, on October 19 at 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), in honor of Bob’s lifelong love of animals.