Dr. Arlington Wendell Chisman Jr., 86, died Saturday, June 29, 2019, at the Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton.
“Death, the refuge, the solace, the best and kindliest and most prized friend and benefactor of the erring, the forsaken, the old and weary and broken heart.”
He was born Sept. 5, 1932, in Williamsburg. As a teenager, he confessed his faith for Jesus Christ and was baptized at Queen Street Church, where he remained a member. He attended Public Schools graduating from Phenix High School in 1951.
Dr. Chisman served in Korea during the war and was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
After military service, Dr. Chisman received his Bachelor of Science Degree with honors in Industrial Management from Virginia State College (University); Professional Teacher Certification from Norfolk State College (University); Masters of Education Degree from Virginia State College (University); and Ph.D. from the Ohio State University.
Dr. Chisman, professor emeritus, North Carolina A&T State University School of Technology, retired in 1995. Prior to his service at N.C. A&T, he served two years at Phenix High school in Hampton, followed by two years in Sierra Leone, West Africa, teaching with the Hampton Institute (University) USAID Project. This was followed by three years at Bethel High School in Hampton, after which he received his Ph.D. and became the first director of Vocational Education for Hampton City Schools. During this time, he also served as adjunct lecturer in the Hampton Institute (University) Graduate Program and the Virginia Tech Graduate Program.
Dr. Chisman’s avocation was residential construction, and he was responsible for a number of residences in Hampton; Mathews; and Greensboro, North Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendi T. Chisman; wife, Gwendolyn Washington Chisman; parents, Arlington W. Chisman Sr. and Mamie Jones Chisman Mathias; sister, Alice Chisman Belches; grandparents, John Chisman,Sarah Walker Chisman Chandler, George Jones and Mary Jones.
Left to mourn his loss are his brothers, John Chisman Sr. and Lafayette Chisman (Agnes); sisters, Celestine Bolden (Benjamin) and Lena Belvin; special niece, Crystal Chisman Parson (Rufus); a host of other nieces and nephews; and special friend, Jean.
He held memberships in Phi Delta Kappa, Epsilon Pi Tau, VSU Middle Peninsula and State Alumni Association, Old Dominion Golf Club (where he was twice Club Champion), Colonial Buck Hunt Club and received the Masonic 32 Degree.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Chisman Family Educational Foundation, Chesapeake Bank Trust Department, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
Viewing will be held from noon to 6 p.m., Friday, July 12, at Ronald C. Perkins Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 13, at Queen Street Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.
Share online condolences with the family at Ronald C. Perkins Funeral Home.
