[Ailist] To announce the death of Christopher Chapman

[CHRISTOPHER CHAPMAN]

I am the eldest cousin of Chris Chapman, and I am writing to you to inform you of Christopher’s death last week on the 22nd of December 2008.
 
Christopher’s life was greatly enhanced by his many friends on-line and across the world.  In accessing his various in-boxes we have been confronted with over 500 contacts and almost 25000 messages.  I must apologise for this impersonal note if you knew Chris in other ways and had already heard this news.  In recognition of the importance of this part of his life we would like to give you the opportunity to share your thoughts, wishes or memories of Chris to contribute to a celebration of his life on the 9th of January.  I have set-up a dedicated e-mail address to receive messages at ideahatching at googlemail.com (open until 01/02/09).  Your contribution would be greatly appreciated.

Christopher died very peacefully and with great dignity having spent his last few days enjoying the company of many friends and family members.  The last few days of his life were a real gift to all those who were able to visit him and Christopher himself approached his death as he approached challenges throughout his life, as a new adventure faced with integrity and great courage.

Chris suffered from an acquired form of deaf-blindness bought on by Cerebella Ataxia which also caused significant difficulties with his motor functions.  With the incredible support of his close family, dedicated specialist help from Sense – the deaf-blind charity, and a terrific team of carers, Christopher led as full and active a life as many more able people.  In the last few years he has travelled to Norway, Holland, Belgium and Switzerland to contribute to international conferences, been to lunch at Buckingham Palace, sailed, canoed, climbed and abseiled.

Intellectually Chris had a degree in Russian, History, and Greek and Roman civilisation, and he was conversing in Russian into his last week.  I would often talk with Chris for hours on subjects as abstract and diverse as cosmology and psychology and he always spoke with the rigour and wit of a true intellectual.  Computers were a large window through which Chris explored the world, but they are a tool through which real people with real lives communicate.   His life on-line was a valuable part of a life very well lived.

Yours sincerely

Matt Chapman

(Please only reply to ideahatching at googlemail.com as the the account from which this message has been sent will no longer be monitored)

Christopher J Chapman
near Huntingdon, UK
Profile page: http://www.ecademy.com/user/christopherchapman