David Wellington Chappell
February 02, 1940 - December 02, 2004
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David Wellington Chappell
February 02, 1940 - December 02, 2004
Obituary
David Wellington Chappell 64
David Wellington Chappell died of heart failure on December 2, 2004 in Laguna Hills, California. He was a well-known teacher-scholar in Buddhist Studies and the principal founder of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies 1987, as well as the founding editor of this Society’s journal, Buddhist-Christian Studies. He received his BA degree from Mount Allison University, his BD from McGill University, and his Ph.D. in history of religions from Yale University. David’s academic specialty was Chinese Buddhist tradition, where he published significant work on the T?ien-t?ai Buddhism, including Buddhist and Taoist Practice in Medieval Chinese Society and T?ien-tai Buddhism: An Outline of the Four-fold Teachings, Buddhist Peace Work: Creating Cultures of Peace, and Unity in Diversity: Hawaii’s Buddhist Communities. He was Emeritus Professor of Religion at the University of Hawaii, where he taught for twenty-eight years, before assuming a position as Professor of Comparative Studies at Soka University of America in 2000. Always interested in balancing scholarship and teaching, David was the recipient of a number of grants in support of his work, including the Hung-Wo and Elizabeth Lao Ching Foundation, the University of Hawaii Institute for Peace, the Japanese Studies Foundation, The Niwano Peace Foundation Tokyo, and the Lilly Foundation. In the last few years of his life he was also actively engaged in Buddhist-Muslim dialogue in Asia, Europe, and North America, working with Dharma Master Hsin Tao, founder of the Museum of World Religions in Taiwan.
David is survived by his wife Stella Chappell, daughters Cindy Rice Las Vegas, Laura Demitria, Gwen Demitria, Jeannie Barnes, and son Mark Chappell California. He is also survived by five grandchildren and his brother, Gordon Chappell Canada.
A celebration of David’s life will be held in Founder’s Hall at Soka University of America, Aliso Viejo, Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 2:00 PM.
The following services will also be held in addition to the service at Soka University:
A service for David will be held at the Honpa Hongwanji Mission, Honolulu, HI, December 27, 2004, at 7 pm.
A Celebration of David’s life will be held during the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies Seventh International Conference at Loyola Marymont University, Los Angeles, CA, June 3-8, 2005.
33 responses to David Wellington Chappell
Albert A. Dalia says:
December 8, 2004
David W. Chappell was my teacher in Chinese Buddhism and “elder brother” in life ever since we met at the University of Hawaii in the mid-70s.
In Chinese, “shih-fu” is the term a student uses in respect for his teacher. It is composed of two characters “shih” for master and “fu” for father. David was both to me and I will carry his wisdom and compassion with me forever, and hopefully hand it down to my children.
Geraldine and Jerry Bidulock says:
December 8, 2004
To Cindy, Mark, Nicole, Aunt Beth, and Dan:
With sorrow we watch from a distance as our family members mourn the passing of one close to them. I remember Dave Chappell best from a trip to New York City many years ago. Our family drove up to your house in a fairly rough to us part of the Big City. Earlier your home had been broken into, and Dave had caught the teenager thief right in the house, and called the police. We visited, toured Harlem with our doors locked and windows rolled up, and drove down the coast towards Washington D.C. We bought bags of dried seaweed and ate it like sunflower seeds, following your family in a small but sporty “unsafe at any speed” said Nader Corvair. Mark and Cindy were quite small but as we still know them, were bright-eyed, beautiful and full of life! Bertha was then the very warm and close family member that she remains today. Dave was accomodating, and friendly to us, yet somewhat mysterious and seemed very intelligent. We knew later that he studied Chinese in their country and went on to teach it. His obituary explains things now about him that we did not know.
His life’s work seems of considerable interest. We are sorry that he is gone, but he has left behind a beautiful family for us to share a little bit or our world and lives with. Just thinking of you. May time soften your loss.
Jim Blumenthal says:
December 8, 2004
I just met David earlier this year. We spoke for about an hour after a panel at which I presented and he made a real impression on me. He was very warm and genuine – one of the real good people. I wish I had had a chance to get to know him better.
Pete and Adeline Peake Tymko says:
December 8, 2004
Dear Cindy, Mark and families;
Cherish your good memories of happier times with your father. He was a very intellegent and kind man and has accomplished greatness in a very difficult field of study. He loved you all and we pray for you all to celebrate that goodness in his life.
With our love and our prayers;
Pete and Aunty Adeline
Stan & Judy Eliuk says:
December 8, 2004
Dearest Cindy,Kevin,Luke&Joshua
Mark & Nicole
It is with deepest sorrow that we received the news of your Dad & Grandpa, the reknowned & distinquished David W. Chappell.We knew him as a young lad searching for a greatlife and he certain achieved his dream and passion in his teachings and accomplishments in his quest for peace on earth.His efforts leave two beautiful children & their family and a pride in us for having known him. God Bless you at this time and our prayers are with you.
Love, Judy
Stan,Judy & Jason Eliuk
Bert, Leah, Jenna Mary & Elayna Sarah