Robert F. Chapman

Robert F. Chapman
Robert F. Chapman
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
	In office; May 31, 1991 – April 18, 2018
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
	In office; September 19, 1981 – May 31, 1991
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Clement Haynsworth
Succeeded by	Karen J. Williams
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
	In office; May 27, 1971 – October 2, 1981
Appointed by	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Seat established by 84 Stat. 294
Succeeded by	Clyde H. Hamilton
Chairman of the South Carolina; Republican Party
	In office; July 22, 1961 – February 15, 1963
Preceded by	Gregory D. Shorey Jr.
Succeeded by	Drake Edens
Personal details
Born	Robert Foster Chapman; April 24, 1926; Inman, South Carolina, U.S.
Died	April 18, 2018 (aged 91); Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	University of South Carolina (BS, LLB)
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1943–1946
Battles/wars	World War II;

Robert Foster Chapman (April 24, 1926^[1] – April 18, 2018) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and a former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Education and career

Born in Inman, South Carolina, Chapman was an ensign in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1943 to 1946.^[2] He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina in 1945, and a Bachelor of Laws from University of South Carolina School of Law in 1949. He was in private practice in Spartanburg, South Carolina from 1949 to 1951, then returned to the United States Navy as a lieutenant from 1951 to 1953 before returning to private practice in Spartanburg until 1971. Chapman was elected as chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party on July 22, 1961,^[3] and served until he resigned on February 15, 1963.^[4]

On May 18, 1971, Chapman was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 26, 1971, and received his commission on May 27, 1971. His service terminated on October 2, 1981, due to elevation to the Fourth Circuit.^[2]

Chapman was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on July 16, 1981, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated by Judge Clement Haynsworth. Chapman was confirmed by the Senate on September 16, 1981, receiving his commission on September 19, 1981. He assumed senior status on May 31, 1991, after which his seat was filled by Karen J. Williams.^[2] His service terminated on April 18, 2018, upon his death.^[5]

^ Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Chapman". politicalgraveyard.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c Robert F. Chapman at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
^ "Chapman To Lead State Republicans". The Greenville News. July 23, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
^ "Chapman Resigns GOP Post". The Greenville News. February 16, 1963. p. 1. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
^ "Court Mourns the Loss of Judge Robert F. Chapman". www.ca4.uscourts.gov.

Legal offices
Preceded by Seat established by 84 Stat. 294	Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina 1971–1981	Succeeded by Clyde H. Hamilton
Preceded by Clement Haynsworth	Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 1981–1991	Succeeded by Karen J. Williams

Authority control databases
International	VIAF FAST WorldCat
National	United States