LEEK, Chapman Ballard (Chap)

Chapman Ballard Leek "Chap", 83, died June 30, 2010 in Green Valley, Arizona after an extended illness. Chapman was born to Chapman Harding and Irene Ballard Leek on September 25, 1926 in Fairfield, Idaho. In March 1944 Chapman joined the Marine Corps at age 17. He saw action in the Pacific theater, on Okinawa and Ryukyu Islands, and was part of the occupation forces in Japan. He was honorably discharged August 1946, with the rank of Corporal. After the service, Chapman attended Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. He graduated in 1950 with a B.S. in Chemistry. Chapman's nuclear career was launched at Oak Ridge National Lab, Tenn., and progressed at the now Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He married his first wife, Jeannie Putnam in 1954. In 1959, Chapman moved his growing family to Santa Barbara, California. Chapman worked for the EG&G Santa Barbara division from 1959-1973. He worked in a variety of technical and administrative services finally serving as the assistant general manager. In 1973, Chapman purchased Deep Creek resort south of Bonner's Ferry, Idaho. He and his family operated the business until the fall of 1979. The bridge story is one example of Chapman's grit, optimism and strength of character. In the winter of 73-74 the county bridge linking Deep Creek to the old highway was washed out effectively cutting off access to his business. After repeated attempts to have the bridge repaired, Chapman determined that he would have to take matters into his own hands. On a spring day in 1974 Chapman and many friends with technical and logging experience built a one lane bridge using steel girders purchased from the old Bonner's Ferry High school on his private land. The "One cent toll bridge" operated successfully until the county's restoration of the original bridge in summer of 74. After leaving Bonner's Ferry in 1979, Chapman was able to resume his technical career. His employment history included manager of the Raft River Geothermal Area (1979-1981), manager of the Three Mile Island Data Acquisition Program (1981-1989), DOE oversight manager of the West Valley Demonstration Project, N.Y. (1989-1991). Chapman retired and eventually settled in Green Valley, Arizona where he met and later married Donna (April 2002). He and Donna enjoyed many wonderful years including trips in the states, Mexico and Europe. Chapman is survived by his wife, Donna Brown Leek; daughters, Marce Bauermeister Hagood (Doug), Spokane, WA, and Kelley Herr Leek, Edmonds, WA; son, Chapman P. Leek (Lisa), Boise, ID; stepson, Ben (Sue) Brown, Tucson, AZ; sister, Teresa (Arlin) Dennis, Boise, ID and sister-in-law, Patricia Leek, Fairfield, ID. Chapman took great pride in his five granddaughters, Skye Tucker Hoffner, Bellevue, WA, Brynn Bauermeister McConkey (David) Ballynahinch, Northern Ireland, Addy Jean Bauermeister, Atlanta, GA, Margaret Joyce Bauermeister, Spokane, WA and Reesa Herr, Edmonds, WA. Chapman B. was grateful to his sisters for the practice his numerous nephews and nieces gave him in preparing him for parenthood. Chapman is preceded in death by his parents, Chapman and Irene Leek; brother, Norman Leek; sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Mac McConnell; sister, Phyllis Petteway and step-son, Mike Brown. The family will have a private Memorial Service later this summer at the family homestead in Fairfield, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, we suggest a remembrance donation be made to charity of your choice or Odyssey Hospice, 1730 E. River Rd. # 107, Tucson, AZ 85718. Published in the Tucson Newspapers on July 11, 2010