R.I.P. Ben Chapman

[michblk]

This is truly sad and I am holding back the tears.  I first met Ben at one of the Frightvisions in Ohio. The next year I saw him,  he remembered my face, I don't know if that was good or bad, lol.  It was kind of a slow day at the convention and he invited me to sit down with him.   He shared several stories with me about being the Creature and about his life and what he had done.  I felt as if I was sitting with my Grandfather as Ben's personality reminded me of him.  When a fan would come up, he would have fun with them all, he truly loved his fans!  After that show, I then started corresponding with him via email, just small chit chat to see how he has been and what he had been up to.  Every time I saw him after that, he'd treat me like an old friend.  He even called me a couple times to thank me for the Creature items I had sent him!  He truly was 1st class!  It is a true honor to have known him!  I feel like I have lost a friend and my Grandfather all over again! 

God Bless Ben and his Family!

Brian K

[basszilla]

It will truly be a sad day when there are no more monsters in the world.   

Thank you Ben for all the great frights and delights.  R.I.P.

[The Spangler]

 I met Ben Chapman once at Chiller a few years ago and I was impressed by the mans patience.  He listened attentively to everything I had to say and showed genuine interest and concern.  He was a great guy, and I am truly saddened by the news. 

[Mike Scott]

From Ben's website:

We are going to put up a page of memories from his fans. If you have a memory you would like put on this site, e-mail: kenroar (at) yahoo.com

http://www.the-reelgillman.com/

[HARRY HAMMOCK]

A gentleman and all around great guy,who I had the pleasure of meeting twice.He'll be very missed by many.

[poseablemonster]

What sad news; I am really sorry to hear of his passing.  He touched all of our lives in one way or another.  I treasure that Horror Show issue with John Fasano's story about your trip back to the lagoon, and I loved seeing the pics, Danny. 
It's so hard to find the right words for times like this.  He certainly seemed to have lived a very rich and happy life, and surely was loved by many.  He will be missed.

[MissDrac]

I finally got to meet the real gillman last year at the Bash!! It was awesome to meet a great guy. What really made me happy was that on my way to getting some ice, Ben was coming out of his room. It was so cool knowing that Ben Chapman was staying the same floor that I was on!!
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[MissDrac]

Also a few months ago I got to see the Creature on the big screen which was really great!

[neonnoodle]

Alas, I was never fortunate enough to meet Ben Chapman, but as the Creature he gave me many great chills on Saturday afternoons.  Creepy in the suit and most imposing in 3D!  Thanks, Ben, for the memories.

[Tom Smith Monsternut]

Wow ! I'm stunned . I did not know him very well but as you all say he was such a warm and generous guy that when you met him he made you feel like one of his family.
I always enjoyed seeing him at the various cons and I had a ball talking to him and listening to his great stories. I'll miss that and I'll miss Ben !
Rest in peace Ben you lived your life well and thank you for all the fun times and memories.
My condolences to his family.



Thanks for taking this picture Rob !

Tom Smith

[raycastile]

Dan, that's a great photo story.

[monsterphile]

I felt doubly sad when I read about Ben's passing. 

Firstly, I was lucky enough to meet Ben, along with Ricou, at the same Monster Mania that Tom mentioned.  I didn't get to speak with them much because I was starstruck.  Ben especially was so fan-friendly.  Come to think of it, he's always beaming in every picture of him with a fan.  My condolences to his family. 

The second reason why Ben's passing was so sad for me is that Ben and Ricou were scheduled to be guests at Monster Mania again in a few weeks.  I was planning on taking my daughter Catherine to meet these men and get something signed to her from them.  I was also hoping to get a picture of her with the Gillmen.  Sadly, this will never happen.  It's a shame because I know Ben would have gotten a kick out of her.  I was also hoping to get to know him better.  I'm so jealous of those of you that got to be friends with him.  Thanks to everyone, especially Dan, for their own pictures of Ben.  UMA truly loved him.

Rob

[MonsterArt]

It took me an hour to find this picture, which is sad, because it should've been on my wall. Now it will be. It is so bittersweet. It makes me cry for Benny, and also for times past, when everything seemed so much simpler. I still care so much for everyone in this photo (well, except the clown friend of Dan's, who was nice but I've never seen since), but I hardly ever see them. This is still a great photo, from the very first time Benny came to visit at Danny's house.



Frank

[gracebuster]

Wonderful Frank, and wonderful stories, everyone. Great to see the smiles on everyone's faces in the pics.

Look how happy he made all of us. We all smiled when he was near!

[mike c]

"There, peeping among the cloud-wracked, war-tormented sky, above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while.
The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of that forsaken land, and hope returned to him.
For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end, the Shadow was only a small and passing thing, after all; that there was light and high beauty forever beyond its reach..."

-J.R.R. Tolkien, 'The Lord of the Rings', The Return of the King,
p. 199

All must pass through the Shadow; and we who are left behind must grieve in the shadow of our own loss... but we'll find laughter again, and joy... and we can all be glad that our dear, dear friend is now a part of that light and beauty, so far beyond the reach of the darkness.

God bless you Ben. Aloha.

Mike C.