Ralph "Ron Chapman" Frederick Chapman

Born January 25, 1936, in Newton, Massachusetts, Chapman has been heard on the airwaves in the Dallas/Fort Worth area since the 1950s. He began his radio career after high school graduation at WHAV-AM Haverhill, MA ,in 1953. After broadcasting for the U.S. Army in Korea, Chapman worked at WNHC-AM New Haven, and was shortly thereafter recruited to Dallas' KLIF-AM. Chapman spent six years at KLIF, co-hosting the highly successful "Charlie & Harrigan Show", before joining WFAA-TV in Dallas. He hosted a popular television program called Sumpin' Else, a live teen dance show broadcast from NorthPark Center. In 1968, Chapman joined a team that purchased KVIL-FM, a station known for pioneering the Adult Contemporary (AC) format. He remained at KVIL-FM for 32 years, serving as program director, music director, promotion director and morning personality. In the late 1990's, Chapman joined KLUV-FM, an Oldies format that saw high ratings upon his arrival. He retired in 2005, but was summoned back to radio a few years later when ABC asked him to become the regular substitute for "Paul Harvey News". Chapman was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2010, into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012 and is a multiple inductee into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.

Chapman is survived by his wife Nance Murray Chapman, daughter Melanie Sherman, and grandsons Elliott Sherman and Noah Sherman. No service is planned, but his family will raise a glass to celebrate a life well lived.