Ramon 'Bud' Ensign Chapman

Ramon Ensign "Bud" Chapman passed away on November 18, 2015, in Walnut Creek, California. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 6, 1930, to Eldred Munroe and Berneice Ensign Chapman. Bud is survived by his sweetheart of 64 years, Gayle Alston, who he married in the LDS Salt Lake Temple on April 12, 1951, and his three children - daughter Connie Hoglund (Bill), and sons Richard (Lynne) and Alan (Teresa). Bud and Gayle currently have 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Dale, his twin sister Ramona, his younger sister Sandra, and his great-grandson Max. Bud served in the US Army assigned to the Second Infantry Division during the Korean War and received the Bronze Star for meritorious service. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1960 with a BS in Electrical Engineering and entered the Aerospace industry as a Design Engineer for the Boeing Company in Seattle. In 1961 he was transferred to Vandenberg Air Force Base where he worked on the Minuteman Missile Program. In 1968 he was reassigned by Boeing to North American Rockwell in Downey, California, where he worked as a Guidance and Navigation Engineer on NASAs Manned Space Flight Program, Apollo. On November 6, 1968, he was presented with the "Silver Snoopy Award" by astronauts Wally Schirra and Walt Cunningham, the highest civilian award offered by NASA astronauts as special thanks for exceptional professional excellence and contribution. After the Apollo program ended, Bud went to work for the District Attorneys office of Los Angeles County, where he retired as Chief of the Systems Division in 1993. Bud was a prolific writer, and musical composer who wrote wonderful songs about family, love, and life. He and Gayle were privileged to travel the continents of the earth and shared many happy memories with friends and family all across the globe where they gained deep appreciation for its people and cultures. A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life, Bud served as a leader in the Church and a compassionate friend to all. He was a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ and is greatly missed by all. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on Monday, November 23, 2015 at the LDS Chapel located at 1590 Denkinger Rd, in Concord, California. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00-10:45am. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park located at 3401 E. Highland Dr, in Salt Lake City, Utah. There will be a brief graveside service with military honors on Monday November 30, 2015 at 11:00am. Funeral Service Monday, November 23, 2015 11:00 am Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1590 Denkinger Rd. Concord CA 94521 Visitation Monday, November 23, 2015 10:00 am-10:45 am Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1590 Denkinger Rd. Concord CA 94521