Samuel Garrison Chapin of Plymouth, MA died April 1, 2026 at the age of 75, after being diagnosed with cancer in 2025.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Caroline (Davis) Chapin and daughters Megan (Meg) and Anna, as well as brothers Henry, Theodore (Ted), and Miles, many in-laws, nieces, and nephews, and numerous friends and extended family members with whom was close.

Sam was born on September 7, 1950 (alongside his twin brother Ted) in New York City to Schuyler Chapin and Elizabeth Steinway Chapin. He was raised in Manhattan, where he attended the Dalton School. He later headed west to the Colorado Rocky Mountain School, from which he graduated in 1968, then graduated from Windham College in Vermont.

Sam and Caroline married in 1982, raising their two girls first in Carver, then Hingham. After Meg was born, Sam returned to school to study civil engineering. He had a long career in environmental and solid waste management consulting and always made sure to point out landfills to his family wherever they traveled.

Sam devoted many years to land conservation in Southeastern MA, most recently serving as Chairman of the Board of the Wildlands Trust. He helped secure the acquisition of the Davis-Douglas Farm as the Trust's new headquarters, ensuring that the land remained protected and available for the enjoyment of all.

His favorite place was his longtime family home on Long Pond, where he and Caroline moved permanently in 2009. Sam loved everything about pond life: boating, bird watching, managing his land, and cutting firewood. He enjoyed family and local history, keeping detailed archives and becoming known as the unofficial historian of the Six Ponds area. He could often be found playing games like Wingspan and Ticket to Ride with family and friends in front of the fireplace.

Sam was known for his diligent and dutiful nature. Never one for half measures, he believed that anything worth doing was worth doing well, and preferably with "the right tool for the job." His family never feared he would get bored in retirement because he could always find a project. He was endlessly generous with his knowledge and loved to teach others, whether about pond history or how best to fix something in an old house.

Above all, he loved and cherished his daughters and took joy in passing on as much of his wisdom and learned skill as he could. They will miss him dearly.

A memorial service will be held later this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the https://www.wildlandstrust.org/