Empty Saddles: Don Chapin

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Photo courtesy WPCA.

Don Chapin
September 5, 1947 — March 17, 2016

The World Professional Chuckwagon Association was saddened by the passing of retired chuckwagon driver Don Chapin after complications following heart surgery. He was 68.

Don was born into chuckwagon racing. His father Don “Scotty” Chapin competed throughout the 1950s until a racing accident at the Calgary Stampede claimed his life.

Don started driving chuckwagons in 1975, taking out his pro card in 1977. He qualified for the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby in 1985, and he drove a chuckwagon in the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games in Calgary. He was honoured four times by the WPCA for his support of chuckwagon racing.