R. HOYT CHAPIN ’55

HOYT CHAPIN, the retired owner and president of the Pottery Barn Inc., died July 16, 2015, at age 82. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and also attended the Columbia University School of Business. After beginning his retail career at Bloomingdale’s and then moving to Dansk International Designs, he spent the majority of his work life since 1966 as owner and president of the Pottery Barn Inc., until he retired. His forward thinking, creative and entrepreneurial approach championed “good contemporary design at a great price,” according to his family. After he retired, he remained involved in several business adventures, including the creation of two developments, Browns Hill and the Georges Mills Boat Club, in Sunapee, N.H., and consulted to Mesa International in Warner, N.H. He was an active member of the New London community, as a director of the Little Sunapee Protective Association, New London Hospital, and the Kearsarge Council on Aging, among others. Among those who survive are his wife of 60 years, Marybelle Carruth Chapin; three children, including Deborah Chapin ’81; three grandchildren; a niece and nephew; and several cousins, including Edward W. Hoyt ’69, who officiated at the memorial celebration of his life.