Former Michigan football great Bob Chappuis dies at 89
One of the Michigan football program's most celebrated offensive backs, former Heisman Trophy runner-up Bob Chappuis, has died at the age of 89.
Chappuis, leader of Michigan's 1947 "Mad Magicians," passed away at the University of Michigan Hospital on Thursday in the company of his wife, Ann, and their four children, according to a university release.
Bob Chappuis (49) carries the ball for the Michigan football team in 1947.
AnnArbor.com file photo
A College Football Hall of Famer and Michigan Hall of Honor member, Chappuis was a multi-faceted back for the Wolverines from 1942-48. He also earned two varsity letters as a baseball player while in Ann Arbor.
Such a dominant player, Chappuis was made famous in November 1947, when his pictured graced the cover of Time Magazine.
As dynamic as Chappuis was on the field, perhaps the most interesting part of his Wolverine career was its interruption in 1942 by World War II.
During the war, Chappuis served as an aerial gunner and radio operator on B-25 bombers. His plane was shot down over Italy during his 21st mission, but he was eventually rescued by an Italian family. He remained in Italy until the conclusion of the war.
After the war ended, Chappuis resumed his playing career at Michigan in 1946. In 1947, he paced Michigan to an unbeaten national championship season. Toward the close of that year, Chappuis finished second to Notre Dame quarterback Johnny Lujack in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Chappuis still holds the Big Ten's single-season passer rating record (175.3) and the Michigan record for yards per completion in a season with 18.8.
Following his college career, he played two years of professional football with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Hornets in the All-America Football Conference.
Chappuis was set to be inducted into the state of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame this fall.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Jun 18, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
One wonders why the New York Times has a fuller obituary on this Michigan war hero and football great than does the A2 Snooze, and why the link to their obit is today on their front page while the A2 Snooze has already made the link disappear? http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/18/sports/ncaafootball/bob-chappuis-football-player-rescued-in-world-war-ii-dies-at-89.html?_r=1&hpw Oh, that's right. The NYT is actually a news organization. Sorry, I forgot that the A2 Snooze is simply in the business of generating hits on its website. RIP Bob Chappuis. They broke the mold when they made you, and you deserved better from your hometown "newspaper". GN&GL
James Hart
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.
Mr Chappuis was a true American , and Ohio & Michigan,hero.Our country needs more citizens like him .This is a great loss for us all;my condolences to his family.
azwolverine
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 9:57 p.m.
Not only a Michigan legend, but a real life hero as well. What an incredible life he lived and the stories he must have had for his children and grandchildren. I'm glad that Mr. Chappuis got to witness Michigan's football rebirth in the last year of his life so that he knows his beloved Wolverines are in good hands. God Bless the entire Chappuis family.
Terry Star21
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 9:13 p.m.
Great article, great human being. So very happy that Mr. Chappuis was able to attend college for an education and football after protecting America and help freeing millions of people. Can't imagine how it must have felt, not to originally start college and not knowing if you would make it back. That is what America is all about though, and what a great American he was. MgoBlueForTiM...Remembering #49 this year & beyond.
heartbreakM
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 12:22 p.m.
I can imagine the scene in the great beyond, of ufer, Bo, chappuis, oosterban, crisler, and Kramer all getting together now. RIP.
javajolt1
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:45 p.m.
A wonderful athlete...but an even better man.
semperveritas
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:25 p.m.
how's this for being old. chappius and the '47 team made me a fan of MICHIGAN. i feel bad.
stevejd66
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
Me too! I was only 7, but my Dad started taking me to games in '47. Minnesota, Michigan State College (at that time), and the Rose Bowl. What great memories. We stayed in the same hotel as the team, and I got to know several of the players, including Chappius - but most of all Bump and Pete Elliot because we three had identical complexions: freckles and reddish blonde hair, so they took a liking to me. Go to the YouTube link posted immediately above and listen to the Chappius' story about his "hiding out" in Italy during WWII. And then click on the link for the 1948 Rose Bowl game, where UM beat USC 49 to zip. As you can see, Chappius and Bump (#18) were the offensive stars of the game. Also, Gene Derricotte (#41) piled up a lot of yardage on receptions and punt returns. Keep in mind, Fritz Crisler was just beginning to explore the concept of two platoon FB - so most of these players were playing both sides of the ball. About the only bright spot for USC was their Tailback, Jackie Jensen, who went on to become a star with the Boston Red Sox during the Ted Williams era.
JimmyRhoades
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:24 p.m.
Mr. Chappuis was a wonderful man. I will never forget his kindness (and that of his wife, Ann) to the students who videotaped his oral history for the Legacies Project. They didn't know him as a Michigan football legend. In fact, the story they chose to edit and share was about something altogether different. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQvHpSMGagQ&list=PLA6AE7F1BEE460AF9&index=7&feature=plpp_video
Steve McQueen
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.
RIP Mr. Chappuis. Go Blue in heaven.
D21
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:19 p.m.
Hail to Robert Chappuis!
Milqueman
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
Another example of the great legends of Michigan history. RIP Bob Chappuis
Hailmary
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:43 p.m.
Wow ! Hail to the Victors Valiant !