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Ray Chapman Has Died

February 7th, 2008 by Syd

rchapman From the Morning Mailing…

Ray Chapman Has Died: Ray Chapman, the first world champion of the sport of Practical Shooting and  founder of the Chapman Academy of Practical Shooting, died February 2, 2008, in a suburb of Austin TX. Many will remember Ray for his development of a variation of the Weaver shooting position in which the elbow of the shooting arm is fully extended and pulled back into the shoulder by the flexion in the support arm, as though it were a rifle stock. I routinely quote Ray for his saying, “Speed is five-sixths smoothness.”

Regards,
Bob — the “Keyboard Cowboy”

 

Ray Chapman, 1928-2008

Published Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Ray Chapman, one of the fathers of modern pistol craft, 79, of Dallas, formerly of Columbia, passed away Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.

Chapman

Memorial services will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Harrell Funeral Chapel in Dripping Springs, Texas.

A patron member of the National Rifle Association, Mr. Chapman served as a Marine during World War II, seeing action in the Pacific theater island campaigns and again during the early stages of the Korean War.

After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, he worked as a fireman in Oregon while completing his education.

Upon receiving a degree in civil engineering, Ray moved to California and began a career with the California Highway Department.

He also worked part time as a police officer.

It was while he was in California that he became acquainted with the Southwest Pistol League and began to hone the shooting skills that would culminate in his winning the first World Combat Pistol Championship in 1975 in Zurich, Switzerland.

With the help and urging of his friends, he opened the world-renowned Chapman Academy of Practical Shooting in Columbia. This training facility became the home of the Bianchi Cup - the most prestigious pistol competition in the world - and is still in operation today.

Mr. Chapman retired from the academy in 1995 and moved to Dripping Springs, just west of Austin. Here he enjoyed visiting with his friends, working in the motion picture industry and relaxing at his home.

All who know him will miss his loyal friendship, his honest, bluff way of expression, his sense of humor and his bright, smiling blue eyes. He was a true gentleman, and the best friend a person could hope for. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Second Amendment Foundation. Source

From the IPSC Hall of Fame:

1975 World Shoot I
Zurich, Switzerland

Ray Chapman
The first Practical Pistol Championship was held in 1975 at Zurich, Switzerland and. It is perhaps appropriate that the first IPSC Champion was Ray Chapman of the United States as he helped develop the sport we all enjoy today. The sport has advanced a great deal from those early days in the 50s when Ray started shooting with a single action revolver but later changed to a 45.

In the South West Pistol League were some of the best practical pistol shooters in the world and Ray soon staked his claim as one of the best by winning the South West Pistol League (SWPL) Annual Championship in 1964, 1967, and 1970. By 1975 his ability with a handgun was renowned and he entered the World Championships seeded number one. The seeding proved correct, with an almost perfect score, dropping only one point throughout the match his superb performance in mastering power, speed and accuracy left no doubt that he was the best practical pistol shooter and World Champion. Ray continued to compete until retiring in 1979.

5 Responses to “Ray Chapman Has Died”

  1. on 09 Feb 2008 at 4:22 pm1 Horace Lambert

    My heartfelt condolences to the family of Ray Chapman. I owe a lot to this man and his training has made me a gun enthusiast and defender of my family. My prayers are sent to his family at this time.

  2. on 09 Feb 2008 at 4:56 pm2 Phillip White

    First we lose Jeff Cooper and now Ray Chapman. The founding fathers of practical shooting are beginning to leave us and that’s a very sad thing indeed.
    My sincere condolences to his family. He will be missed greatly and like Col. Cooper there will never be another like him.

  3. on 09 Feb 2008 at 7:55 pm3 Dale Welch

    Ray Chapman well never be forgotten for his many contributions to the way of life and the sport he so loved. Thank you Ray, you shall be remembered and in so doing, honored.

    My heart goes out to his family and friends. Vaya con Dios.

  4. on 13 Feb 2008 at 1:25 am4 Walter H. Djokic

    Practical shooting has lost a great gentleman and the world as a whole is a lesser and sadder place for his loss.

  5. on 29 Apr 2008 at 11:47 am5 James W. Davis

    It is with great sadness that I just learned of Ray’s passing. As the NRA Bianchi Cup Coordinator from 1982-1996, I had the pleasure of working with Ray on that annual event and on the Action Shooting Committee. Ray was truly dedicated to the shooting sports, especially the Cup, and he took great pride in providing life-saving instruction to those who are on the front line of our freedom every day.

    I am glad to be counted among those who knew him. My condolences, albeit late, to his family. He will be missed by many.

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