Perry Chapin

Perry Chapin passed after a brief illness, December 17, 2020; Perry died in the same fashion he lived - his way, his denoted time, & naturally with Perry in charge.

Born to William Emmett and Julia Sophia Chapin, October 25, 1937, he lived in Leonard, North Dakota. The family journeyed to Iowa, where Perry graduated from Altoona Sr. High School in 1955. After school, Perry was a proud and patriotic member of the United States Navy, engaging in active duty; Perry remained a great patriot, with a love of Country and State.

His first occupation post-USN was as a painter, however, Perry's lifelong career was at the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, Des Moines. If ever man and occupation were destined to join forces, it was our Dad, Firestone, and the Unions he magnified.

He initiated his Union career by attending many & varied classes, courses, first learning his trade well, then quietly gaining the respect of peers & management alike.

Perry was a champion of the working man, of the single Mother, of those underpaid, and overworked-you know, HIS people- America's blue-collar employees.

Soon, he became President of Local Union 310, negotiating contracts for local Goodyear, Firestone Retread, Prophit Co, & Greyhound Foods. Perry set forth negotiating standards, without fear, without apologies, his goal that of workplace equality, fair wages, proper working conditions, and something new at that time, benefits for all, and security from unfair termination. Due to his passion of the union, to this day all work completed at Prairie Meadows was done by union workers.

I dare say, many in 2020 don't know of the intensity of these tedious Union/management talks, or that events could absolutely unravel quickly, often leading to a near-strike. Tempers flared, clashes at times resulted; Perry proved oh-so capable in his Union role during such years, fair, honest...yet able to throw a hefty left hook if need be!

Perry first became interim VP, then President of the South Central Iowa Federation of labor, AFL CIO. He served diligently, tirelessly, his city and state on numerous boards, commissions, to include The Board of Health. In factuality, this man served in this capacity locally, regionally, nationally, & even internationally, the latter by hosting workers worldwide, whom came to study America's successful Unions.

Of note and a grand accomplishment was Perry's role in saving the Des Moines Firestone plant, which could be gone now, if not for his many efforts. The plant was struggling for solvency, and decided a full closure. Perry tread the troubled waters, then formulated a new interpretation of the proposed plant shut down into, rather, a partial closure. Then Iowa governor Terry Branstad approved the measure, the plant remained.

This man, armed with a high school diploma, became the symbol of worker rights, and in 1983 was "Recognized for Dedication" by Local 310 URW.

Lastly, Perry himself penned much of this obit, I quote, "Most precious is the family" and "The best thing that ever happened to me was my wife, Eleanore". He loved his wife, lifelong mate, partner in crime if need be, and Mother to their children, Sherry, Scott (Vickie) and Laurie. Numerous grandkids, great grandkids, great great grandkids, nieces, nephews, more friends than a page could hold.

An avid sportsman, Perry owned stewardship of the land here in Iowa he loved, & all creatures therein. How wonderful a legacy to leave, his schooling and constant participation in hunting, fishing, the ways of the land. Perry was a determined conservationist of the backroads, woods & lakes in this, the state he called home.

Perry was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanore, daughter, Sherry and his brother Denis.

Perry Chapin- "It is easier to put on slippers, than to carpet the world" Truly, what a man!
Families Are Forever

Service will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 2:00 pm, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. The family will greet friends from 12:00 – 2:00 pm prior to services. Burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church where Perry was an active member.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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