William Chapman, who spent his entire career in public service, died Dec. 30, 2012, after a long illness. He was 51.

Chapman graduated from Cornell in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. In 1985 he earned a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School. He then was a staff member for economic development in the office of New York Gov. Mario Cuomo.

In 1988, Chapman became a policy analyst in the business analysis division of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He later held managing and senior marketing analyst positions, including being managing director in the Port Authority’s liaison office in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In 1991, he had traveled with New York City Mayor David Dinkins on the mayor’s reciprocal visit to Nelson Mandela in South Africa (after Mandela’s 1990 visit to New York). At this time, Chapman first befriended the future president of South Africa.

Chapman was a member of the Association of Black Princeton Alumni, and Princeton friends attended his Jan. 20 memorial service.

He is survived by his wife, Rhonda, and two children. A daughter predeceased him.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.

Graduate Class of 1985