Robert Foster Chapman

Robert Foster Chapman (April 24, 1926 – April 18, 2018) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and a former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Education and career

Born in Inman, South Carolina, Chapman was an ensign in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1943 to 1946. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina in 1945, and a Bachelor of Laws from University of South Carolina School of Law in 1949. He was in private practice in Spartanburg, South Carolina from 1949 to 1951, then returned to the United States Navy as a lieutenant from 1951 to 1953 before returning to private practice in Spartanburg until 1971. Chapman was elected as chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party on July 22, 1961, and served until he resigned on February 15, 1963.

Federal judicial service

On May 18, 1971, Chapman was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 26, 1971, and received his commission on May 27, 1971. His service terminated on October 2, 1981, due to elevation to the Fourth Circuit.