Howard “Scooter” Chapman dedicated nearly 61 years to Port Angeles High School sports and the surrounding community. His career in sports broadcasting began in 1950 while attending Roosevelt High School, when he worked as a spotter for football games and a scorekeeper for basketball games at KONP radio. After a year at the University of Washington, Chapman returned to KONP as a radio announcer and salesman, also writing sports columns for the Port Angeles Evening News.

In 1957, Chapman was drafted by the Army, serving two years as a broadcast specialist at Fifth Army Headquarters in Chicago. He later became producer and director for the U.S. Army Television Hometown Newscenter team. In 1961, he was recalled to service during the Berlin Crisis and served 10 months at Fort Bragg, N.C. Following his military service, Chapman became sports editor and radio sports director, often writing articles during radio timeouts.

After 30 years as sports editor, Chapman retired from that role but continued play-by-play duties, eventually contracting with other radio stations to host five sports shows a day and cover most Port Angeles High School athletics. Throughout his broadcasting career, he only missed four football games, three of them due to triple-bypass surgeries, returning each time for the next basketball season.

Chapman’s contributions were recognized with numerous honors. In 1988, he received the Commendation Award from the Washington Secondary School Athletic Administrators Association, and in 2007, he was awarded the Washington Football Coaches Association’s “Silver Helmet Award,” given to a member of the media.

Beyond broadcasting, Chapman was deeply involved in the Port Angeles community. He served as a 46-year member of the Port Angeles Lions Club with perfect attendance, emceed local events such as the Great Olympic Peninsula Duck Derby and the Olympic Medical Center Foundation’s Festival of Trees, and served as an elder and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church. He also umpired baseball and softball games for decades and was the Western Peninsula Umpires Assigning Secretary for 30 years. Known for his positive attitude and respectful treatment of visiting teams, coaches, and players, Chapman was widely regarded as a pillar of the community and an icon of Port Angeles sports.