Mountain Democrat
Friday, May 27, 2011
Roger Bernt Chappell
July 28, 1937 - May 13, 2011
Roger Bernt Chappell, 73 years old, a life-long resident of Placerville, died comfortably and peacefully May 13, 2011, after a courageous 22-year battle with multiple sclerosis. The son of Bernt and Anita Chappell was born on July 28, 1937, in Placerville. He graduated from El Dorado High School, attended University of Washington and finished his bachelor degree at Sacramento State University. In addition to playing college football and tennis, he attended Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan for several summers studying voice training in classical music.
Roger married Janice Peterson on July 27, 1958. in the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sacramento. He began his school teaching career in Cupertino, Calif., in 1960. In 1962 he moved his family to Placerville, where he taught in the Pollock Pines School District for more than 30 years.
Roger is most remembered for teaching seventh and eighth grade science at Pinewood Elementary School in Pollock Pines. He made learning fun and he incorporated his love for nature and the outdoors into a curriculum called Camping Science. Through a combination of didactic lessons and outdoor adventures he taught science and the practical skills essential for outdoor survival. Many of his students remember and were motivated by the words displayed above his chalkboard: "If it is to be, it is up to ME." Mr. Chappell taught them to think outside the box; for this he will be long remembered.
As an outdoorsman Roger worked summers for the El Dorado National Forest. He began his career as a wilderness firefighter, packer and forest ranger. After more than two decades of maintaining trails and building campgrounds in the backcountry, he became a campground ranger at the beautiful gateway to Desolation Wilderness, Wright's Lake. Well known as "Ranger Roger" and for Roger's Rules, he worked side-by-side with his wife Janice to run/host the campground.
In addition to Roger's career as a teacher and forest ranger, he developed school ski programs and coached after school sports (wrestling and basketball) and served with the El Dorado County Nordic Search and Rescue. At home he was a master preserver and gardener and enjoyed cooking with Janice, hunting and fishing with his son and grandsons.
Roger was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. In 2001 his loving wife Janice preceded him in death after 42 years of marriage. He is survived by his sister, Alyceann Ginelli and brother-in-law Frank Ginelli. He was dearly loved by his son, Christian Chappell and daughter, Susan Chappell. He will be deeply missed by his four grandchildren, Annie Tichenor, Marcus Wolford, McKinnon Chappell and Cameron Chappell.
Roger's life will be celebrated at the Federated Church in Placerville Saturday, June 4, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. Remembrances may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society of Northern California, Federated Church of Placerville, and Mother Teresa's Maternity Home in Placerville. Family and friends may leave condolences and sign a guest book at chapelofthepinesfunerals.com.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Roger Bernt Chappell
July 28, 1937 - May 13, 2011
Roger Bernt Chappell, 73 years old, a life-long resident of Placerville, died comfortably and peacefully May 13, 2011, after a courageous 22-year battle with multiple sclerosis. The son of Bernt and Anita Chappell was born on July 28, 1937, in Placerville. He graduated from El Dorado High School, attended University of Washington and finished his bachelor degree at Sacramento State University. In addition to playing college football and tennis, he attended Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan for several summers studying voice training in classical music.
Roger married Janice Peterson on July 27, 1958. in the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sacramento. He began his school teaching career in Cupertino, Calif., in 1960. In 1962 he moved his family to Placerville, where he taught in the Pollock Pines School District for more than 30 years.
Roger is most remembered for teaching seventh and eighth grade science at Pinewood Elementary School in Pollock Pines. He made learning fun and he incorporated his love for nature and the outdoors into a curriculum called Camping Science. Through a combination of didactic lessons and outdoor adventures he taught science and the practical skills essential for outdoor survival. Many of his students remember and were motivated by the words displayed above his chalkboard: "If it is to be, it is up to ME." Mr. Chappell taught them to think outside the box; for this he will be long remembered.
As an outdoorsman Roger worked summers for the El Dorado National Forest. He began his career as a wilderness firefighter, packer and forest ranger. After more than two decades of maintaining trails and building campgrounds in the backcountry, he became a campground ranger at the beautiful gateway to Desolation Wilderness, Wright's Lake. Well known as "Ranger Roger" and for Roger's Rules, he worked side-by-side with his wife Janice to run/host the campground.
In addition to Roger's career as a teacher and forest ranger, he developed school ski programs and coached after school sports (wrestling and basketball) and served with the El Dorado County Nordic Search and Rescue. At home he was a master preserver and gardener and enjoyed cooking with Janice, hunting and fishing with his son and grandsons.
Roger was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. In 2001 his loving wife Janice preceded him in death after 42 years of marriage. He is survived by his sister, Alyceann Ginelli and brother-in-law Frank Ginelli. He was dearly loved by his son, Christian Chappell and daughter, Susan Chappell. He will be deeply missed by his four grandchildren, Annie Tichenor, Marcus Wolford, McKinnon Chappell and Cameron Chappell.
Roger's life will be celebrated at the Federated Church in Placerville Saturday, June 4, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. Remembrances may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society of Northern California, Federated Church of Placerville, and Mother Teresa's Maternity Home in Placerville. Family and friends may leave condolences and sign a guest book at chapelofthepinesfunerals.com.
Mountain Democrat
Friday, May 27, 2011
Roger Bernt Chappell
July 28, 1937 - May 13, 2011
Roger Bernt Chappell, 73 years old, a life-long resident of Placerville, died comfortably and peacefully May 13, 2011, after a courageous 22-year battle with multiple sclerosis. The son of Bernt and Anita Chappell was born on July 28, 1937, in Placerville. He graduated from El Dorado High School, attended University of Washington and finished his bachelor degree at Sacramento State University. In addition to playing college football and tennis, he attended Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan for several summers studying voice training in classical music.
Roger married Janice Peterson on July 27, 1958. in the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sacramento. He began his school teaching career in Cupertino, Calif., in 1960. In 1962 he moved his family to Placerville, where he taught in the Pollock Pines School District for more than 30 years.
Roger is most remembered for teaching seventh and eighth grade science at Pinewood Elementary School in Pollock Pines. He made learning fun and he incorporated his love for nature and the outdoors into a curriculum called Camping Science. Through a combination of didactic lessons and outdoor adventures he taught science and the practical skills essential for outdoor survival. Many of his students remember and were motivated by the words displayed above his chalkboard: "If it is to be, it is up to ME." Mr. Chappell taught them to think outside the box; for this he will be long remembered.
As an outdoorsman Roger worked summers for the El Dorado National Forest. He began his career as a wilderness firefighter, packer and forest ranger. After more than two decades of maintaining trails and building campgrounds in the backcountry, he became a campground ranger at the beautiful gateway to Desolation Wilderness, Wright's Lake. Well known as "Ranger Roger" and for Roger's Rules, he worked side-by-side with his wife Janice to run/host the campground.
In addition to Roger's career as a teacher and forest ranger, he developed school ski programs and coached after school sports (wrestling and basketball) and served with the El Dorado County Nordic Search and Rescue. At home he was a master preserver and gardener and enjoyed cooking with Janice, hunting and fishing with his son and grandsons.
Roger was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. In 2001 his loving wife Janice preceded him in death after 42 years of marriage. He is survived by his sister, Alyceann Ginelli and brother-in-law Frank Ginelli. He was dearly loved by his son, Christian Chappell and daughter, Susan Chappell. He will be deeply missed by his four grandchildren, Annie Tichenor, Marcus Wolford, McKinnon Chappell and Cameron Chappell.
Roger's life will be celebrated at the Federated Church in Placerville Saturday, June 4, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. Remembrances may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society of Northern California, Federated Church of Placerville, and Mother Teresa's Maternity Home in Placerville. Family and friends may leave condolences and sign a guest book at chapelofthepinesfunerals.com.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Roger Bernt Chappell
July 28, 1937 - May 13, 2011
Roger Bernt Chappell, 73 years old, a life-long resident of Placerville, died comfortably and peacefully May 13, 2011, after a courageous 22-year battle with multiple sclerosis. The son of Bernt and Anita Chappell was born on July 28, 1937, in Placerville. He graduated from El Dorado High School, attended University of Washington and finished his bachelor degree at Sacramento State University. In addition to playing college football and tennis, he attended Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan for several summers studying voice training in classical music.
Roger married Janice Peterson on July 27, 1958. in the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sacramento. He began his school teaching career in Cupertino, Calif., in 1960. In 1962 he moved his family to Placerville, where he taught in the Pollock Pines School District for more than 30 years.
Roger is most remembered for teaching seventh and eighth grade science at Pinewood Elementary School in Pollock Pines. He made learning fun and he incorporated his love for nature and the outdoors into a curriculum called Camping Science. Through a combination of didactic lessons and outdoor adventures he taught science and the practical skills essential for outdoor survival. Many of his students remember and were motivated by the words displayed above his chalkboard: "If it is to be, it is up to ME." Mr. Chappell taught them to think outside the box; for this he will be long remembered.
As an outdoorsman Roger worked summers for the El Dorado National Forest. He began his career as a wilderness firefighter, packer and forest ranger. After more than two decades of maintaining trails and building campgrounds in the backcountry, he became a campground ranger at the beautiful gateway to Desolation Wilderness, Wright's Lake. Well known as "Ranger Roger" and for Roger's Rules, he worked side-by-side with his wife Janice to run/host the campground.
In addition to Roger's career as a teacher and forest ranger, he developed school ski programs and coached after school sports (wrestling and basketball) and served with the El Dorado County Nordic Search and Rescue. At home he was a master preserver and gardener and enjoyed cooking with Janice, hunting and fishing with his son and grandsons.
Roger was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. In 2001 his loving wife Janice preceded him in death after 42 years of marriage. He is survived by his sister, Alyceann Ginelli and brother-in-law Frank Ginelli. He was dearly loved by his son, Christian Chappell and daughter, Susan Chappell. He will be deeply missed by his four grandchildren, Annie Tichenor, Marcus Wolford, McKinnon Chappell and Cameron Chappell.
Roger's life will be celebrated at the Federated Church in Placerville Saturday, June 4, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. Remembrances may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society of Northern California, Federated Church of Placerville, and Mother Teresa's Maternity Home in Placerville. Family and friends may leave condolences and sign a guest book at chapelofthepinesfunerals.com.
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