Thomas Edward Chapman entered into eternal rest on February 5, 2020 in Ashland, Nebraska at the age of 88.  Tom was born on November 21, 1931 in Trenton, NE, the son of Harvey and Florence (Blue) Chapman.

Tom graduated from Trenton High School in Trenton, NE in 1950, where he lettered in his beloved sport of football. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.

On August 1, 1953, he was married to Detta Hawkins in Trenton, NE.

Throughout his Air Force career, Tom was assigned to many bases as he advanced through the enlisted ranks in Strategic Air Command and the Air Force Institute of Technology, serving in England and many military bases in the United States.  Tom proudly served his country for 20 years and when he retired in 1972, had attained the rank of Master Sergeant.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, he was employed by the Omaha Public Power District at the Ft. Calhoun Nuclear Power Station and in 1981 worked for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Washington D.C.  He worked for nuclear energy consulting companies in various cities and years as a Health Physicist before moving to Richland, Washington, employed by the Washington Public Power System.

Family was important to Tom and in 1993, he and Detta retired to Ashland, Nebraska giving them a life close to their son’s families and grandsons.

Tom was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Ashland and a member of the Honor Guard in the American Legion Post #129.  He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, camping, boating, grandsons and great grandchildren.

He is survived by wife of 66 years, Detta Chapman; sons, Don (Tracy) Chapman of St. Peters, MO and Sterling (Mary) Chapman of Murdock, NE; 6 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Catherine “Bid” Rieners and Shirley “Pud” (Tom) Rine; and many family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Florence Chapman; brothers, James Chapman and William “Oscar” Chapman; sisters, Floretta “Tyke” Thomsen, Barbara Patenberg and Patricia Lafferty.