Howard Chapin came to Atlantic Christian in 1941. He spent two years at the college before leaving to serve the United States Air Force during World War II.
After the war Chapin returned to A.C., graduated in 1947 with a degree in social studies, and moved to Belhaven, where he worked as a teacher and a coach.
After nine years Chapin left to take a job with F.E. Compton & Co., but a year later returned to Belhaven. He later moved on to Washington High School and continued his career as a teacher and a coach.
In 1972 Chapin pursued his goal to work in politics but was defeated in his first attempt for a seat on the state legislature, losing to the incumbent. Chapin came back in 1974 and won. He has retained the seat every two years since his original selection and is currently up for his sixth term.
Chapin and his wife, Mary Alice, have two children. Michael, an AC graduate, is a law enforcement officer while Kenneth is in finance.
Chapin was born in Ahoskie but lived in Weldon and Aurora before graduating from Kinston High School in 1940. He played basketball and baseball all four years at AC but only two years of football since the sport was not offered during his first Wilson stay.
He earned 10 varsity letters, was Athlete of the Year.
