Obituary
Chapin A. Pratt
Chapin A. Pratt, 87, of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully on
November 5, 2021 with his wife and family by his side. He was born in
Stockbridge, Vermont on March 23, 1934 to T. Chapin and Doris
Simonds Pratt. He was a graduate of Whitcomb High School in Bethel,
VT. In 1957 he married Beverly Parkman of West Rutland, VT.
Chapin served 16 months at Fort Bliss, Texas with the National Guard
from 1952 through 1953. In 1959 he attained the rank of
2nd Lieutenant. He was employed for many years by Howe Scale in
Rutland, VT., Howe Richardson Scale in Clifton, New Jersey, Fairbanks
Scale in St. Johnsbury, VT. and Tyrel Corporation in Winooski, VT. He
also spent eight years as an engineer at Thermal Dynamics in Lebanon,
New Hampshire, where he worked on a NASA project developing a
plasma torch for testing heat shields for re-entry.
Chapin’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to start a recreational equipment
business selling snowmobiles, parts and accessories. When that market
faded he turned to building, selling, and flying hang gliders. In later
years he switched to developing computer programs for the livestock
industry in Oklahoma and continued as a consultant for that business
into retirement.
In 2002 Chapin and Beverly retired to Florida where they enjoyed
playing golf and socializing with friends.
Chapin is survived by his loving wife, Beverly, four children, Donna Pratt
(Michael Bean) of Florida, Lauri Pratt Nicoletta of Maine, Michael Pratt
(Jennifer) of Vermont and Lisa Pratt (James Hochberg) of New
Hampshire, ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is also
survived by a sister, Virginia Merrill (Dennis Merrill) of Florida, sister-in-
law Vivian Pratt of Vermont and brother-in-law Robert Parkman of
Vermont, plus several nieces and nephews.
He was pre-deceased by his parents, brother Wayne Pratt, sister
Elizabeth Brown, and grandson Frank Chapin McCullough.
Donations in his name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
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