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Thomas Chappelle
Thomas L. Chappelle’s
professional career began when he became a Recreation Leader and then
Community Center Supervisor in Detroit (1957). His organization and
administrative skills were recognized early resulting in his becoming
Deputy Superintendent- Parks, Recreation and Forestry, Oak Park, MI;
Director of Parks and Recreation- Sterling Heights, MI; and retiring as
Director of Community Services, Parks, Recreation and Library. Sterling
Heights MI (1994). Tom served our profession for over 37 years.
Tom received his
undergraduate degree from Wayne State University, B.S. degree in
Recreation, an MA degree in Recreation and Park Administration from
Central Michigan University. In addition, he attended the NRPA Revenue
Management School, was a guest lecturer at Central Michigan University
as well as Wayne State University and made numerous presentations at the
MRPA conferences.
Tom became a member of
MRPA (1964) and NRPA (1994). He was a very active member serving MRPA
as President, Treasurer, Board of Directors (six years) and a member of
the scholarship committee. Tom continued to broadly influence the
direction of the recreation and park profession with his involvement on
the Board of Directors- Detroit Amateur Softball Association Advisory
Board; Central Michigan University Advisory Board, President and
Northwest Recreation and Park Association and Board of Directors- Metro
Detroit/American Softball Association.
Tom was instrumental in
developing 22 major and neighborhood parks in Sterling Heights. He
introduced performance budgeting to the department and as a result the
budget was not cut during his administration. He initiated the Special
Recreation Program which is one of the most successful programs in the
State of Michigan. In addition, he was responsible for significant
program development including the Senior- Citizens Program, the Nature
Center Program and his avid interest in Youth Athletic Clubs was
instrumental in their growth and success.
His dedication to the
communities where he served in an administrative capacity can be seen in
the overall improvements that were instituted in the Master Plan that
provided recreation and park services for future generations in both
active and passive activities.
His professional
knowledge, dynamic personality and sense of humor played major roles in
the expansion and growth of the diverse services provided to. Tom was a
positive role model for members at the staff as well as other young
professionals. He always encouraged membership and conference
participation at state and national levels. He believed that recreation
programming and an extensive park system are vital to a community and
contributes greatly to the quality of life for residents in that
community.
With the support of
co-workers and colleagues, Tom received several awards throughout his
professional career. The awards that are most important to him include
the Oak Park NRPA Gold Medal Award, MRPA Fellowship Award, City of
Sterling Heights Administrator of the Year Award; and, induction into
the Metro Detroit Amateur Softball Hall of Fame. In addition, the City
of Sterling Heights dedicated a park as the Thomas L. Chappelle Park.
However, out of all his
important contributions, perhaps the most important is his success as
husband and father. He has been married to Beth for 49+ years, is the
proud father of six and proud grandfather of seventeen.
THOMAS L. CHAPPELLE IS
REMEMBERED “AS A SUPERVISOR WHO ALWAYS ENCOURAGED HIS STAFF WHILE
DEMANDING THE BEST. HE EXPECTED HIGH PERFORMANCE FROM HIS STAFF AND
HIMSELF. HIS HONESTY AND INTEGRITY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IMPECABLE. A
WONDERFUL TEACHER WHO LED BY EXAMPLE.
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