GOODBYE TO A CONSUMMATE CONSERVATIONIST

Daniel Chapin, who resided in Pleasant Hill, CA, died April 27, 2008, at the age of 81 from natural causes. Dan was the first employee of California Waterfowl in 1970, focusing on government affairs. “For many years, [Dan] WAS the California Waterfowl Association,” according to Michael R. Miller, good friend and associate.

Born November 14, 1926, in Gross Point, MI, Dan was the youngest son of Roy D. Chapin and Inez Tiedeman Chapin. He grew up in Michigan and joined the Navy in 1944. After serving in the Navy in 1944-1946, Dan received an honorable discharge, and married Wanda Rose Church in 1950. He attended Yale University where he attained a degree in Engineering, then went to work for the Dow Chemical Corporation.  Dan and Wanda started a family and in 1962, the family moved west to the San Francisco bay area. 

Dan spent the next 20 years running Bessler Corporation while also actively pursuing his passion in life, protecting the environment. An avid duck hunter and fisherman, Dan saw first-hand the need to preserve the natural habitats of fish and wildfowl. He was a true hunter-conservationist and was remarkably dedicated to giving back to the resources he used and loved. By the 1970s, he had decided to dedicate himself full time to conservation at California Waterfowl. 

Dan worked tirelessly throughout the western U.S. for the next 20 years, immersing himself in the Sacramento political machine to protect the environment. He was a leader, and was instrumental in the passing of key legislation such as the Suisun Marsh Protection Act and Central Valley Project Improvement Act. He was the first Chairmen of the Central Valley Habitat Joint Venture and an author of the original Implementation Plan. His creed in life was to always try and leave things in a little better shape than how he found them – a creed that has been adopted by many hunter-conservationists after him. His selfless commitment to the environment was his way of trying to make things better. 

Dan was a respected, accomplished leader in his field and a much loved father.  His wife, Wanda, passed in 1999, and he is survived by his six children, Spencer Chapin, Wendy Chapin Jardine, Clifford Chapin, Anne Chapin Shepler, Thomas Chapin, and Lisa Chapin Collins along with eight grand children. 
Portions Contributed by Wendy Chapin Jardine

Testimonials
 
“Dan was always there...putting in the hours, attending the meetings, doing the homework…which ended up building relationships... The progress in preserving the wetlands and waterfowl of the Pacific Flyway is a model for conservation of other wildlife resources and habitats.... an outstanding success. Looking back, I think the key was getting the hunting community working together with the non-hunting conservation organizations and Dan figured that out very early, the Pacific Flyway really benefited from that approach. He made a difference.”  –Glenn Olson, Audubon California

“If there was ever a Thomas Jefferson of the waterfowl community, Dan would be the guy. Dan understood bipartisanship and realized how wetlands and waterfowl transcended political boundaries, when other constituencies could not find common ground between opposite and conflicting sides or chose pandering over leadership. Dan never wavered from his dedication to the waterfowling sport and always reminded his audience as to who were the first constituency to truly put their money where their hearts were when it came to wetlands.  That focus, and the class and intellect he combined with it, made him an individual who will never be truly replaced. Here's to you Dan.  You gave more than you took, and your legacy will never be forgotten.” –David Widell, Grassland Water District

“[Dan] was a gentle GIANT in a field full of some pretty big fish.  He was the consummate deal maker and he knew how to get things done. It was a lot of really hard work, but our mark on the California landscape has [Dan’s] fingerprints all over it.” –David Paullin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (retired)

“Dan Chapin's passing struck a nerve. For years and years he WAS the California Waterfowl Association. His footprint will last long – a giant in waterfowl conservation in California. Dan actively engaged the politics and the technical aspects of projects to make sure the ducks were looked after in any Bureau decisions. Through him I learned to do the same despite political pressure to back off.  Images of Dan's strength and his ever present pipe have lasted with me ever since.” – Michael R. Miller, U.S. Geolocial Survey

“Dan was a complete gentleman and brilliant conservationist who surely left his mark on the resources of California. He will be missed. Dan had a unique ability to bring very divergent groups together, and actually accomplish something. I could go on and on about the things that Dan did quietly, without fanfare, I could tell funny stories about drinking wine, hunting geese, fishing… A great man has left us.” – Bill Quinn, Past California Waterfowl Chairman of the Board

In 1976, celebrated wildlife artist Ken Carlson designed CWA’s first logo.

In 1979, Carlson simplified the logo to its current form.

In honor of CWA’s 50th anniversary, renowned artist Harry Adamson created this full color rendition.