Robert Stewart Chapler Sr, 97 of Oxnard, CA passed away on 3 December, 2022 in Camarillo, CA. Robert was born in Los Angeles, CA to James Blaine Chapler and Blanche Anne Stewart on 5 December, 1924. He graduated in 1942 from Richmond High School in Berkeley, CA. He joined the US Navy Construction Battalion in 1943 and was stationed on Palmyra Atoll in the South Pacific, where he participated in the construction of much needed runways. Upon his return home in 1946 he worked for a few years as an engineer for Union Ice Company before commencing a career with the US Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory in Port Hueneme, CA. In 1948, he married Mary L. Butterfield and they had six children; Rose, Mary Lou, Bob Jr, John, Harold, and Monica. When their marriage dissolved in 1972, he married Beverly Jean Johnson.
Robert had a passion for mathematics, science, and invention which propelled his positions at the lab from “grease monkey” to Mechanical Engineer. He had several patents and was deeply involved in many important projects. He received many awards of achievement from the Department of the Navy. Although he spent long hours toiling over calculations and other data, he always made time for his family. He dearly loved his kids. He decided to “retire” in the early 1980’s only to start his own consulting business where he worked mostly part time for another 20 or so years.
Upon finally really retiring around the turn of the century, sometime in the early 2000’s, Robert enjoyed visiting with family and friends and taking long drives around the countryside with his wife Beverly. They were both lovers of nature and with their adventurous spirits and their photography expertise, they took many wonderful pictures that they loved to share with others.
Robert is survived by his 2 daughters: Monica King of Camarillo, CA and Rose Eddy of Bull Shoals, AR; stepchildren: Clarice Munk of Vestaburg, PA, Harlan Johnson of Booneville, AR, Ken Johnson of Springfield, MO, and Martin Johnson of Ventura, CA; fourteen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Jean Chapler, his first wife, Mary L. Chapler, daughter Mary Lou Foote, three sons, Robert Stewart Jr, John Douglas, and Harold Aurthor, also, his brothers Lou and James and sisters, Mary and Margaret. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck Medicine of USC, PO Box 80354 Los Angeles, CA 90074-0354. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Mission Hospice and Edna for caring for our beloved in his time of need.
His urn will be placed in a niche at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, Camarillo, CA. Memorial services will be held at JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura on January 16 at 1:00pm with Reverend Gary Dickey of Westlake Village officiating. Small reception to follow. Arrangements are under the direction of JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura.