Edward Young Chapin IV, who died Saturday, was truly a modern "Renaissance man" of broad intellectual interests and achievements, and was perhaps best known in our community for his service over past years as president of Rock City Gardens.
He was a graduate of Princeton University in electrical engineering, then earned a master's degree at Emory University in Atlanta.
His interests were simply boundless.
He served as president of the Southern Highlands Attractions Association, the Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association and the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Chapin also was founder of the Chattanooga Computer Center and was an early dealer of the Apple computer.
He was a sailor and a commodore of the Privateer Yacht Club. He was intensely interested in astronomy, was a private pilot, and loved both popular and classical music. He also was the owner and operator of radio station WLOM-FM for a time.
He was one of several men who joined to establish the local 9-1-1 system.
But these were only a few of his many interests.
In addition, Chapin was a past president of the Chattanooga Engineers Club, coached children for educational robotics competitions and was a master gardener. His enthusiasms had no limit.
Ed, also familiarly known as "Chape," was a regular and longtime member of the Chattanooga Rotary Club, and engaged in many local civic organizations.
He was devoted to his late wife, Linda Standefer Chapin, and to their three children and two grandchildren.
He was a man of great curiosity, and devotion to varied interests throughout his beloved Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga community.