Post #362960 by Tiki Shark Art on Fri, Feb 22, 2008 6:09 PM

Aloha....

Hewey~ Thanks so much buddy.
Artosaurus~ Way cool! I'm gonna watch your thread for the new art! I was really thinking of your stuff when I was doing that B & W illo. I got another one in the works, and I'll post all the sketches on it too soon as it's done.

And now some sad news...

Ben Chapman was the Hawaiian guy who wore the Creature from the Black Lagoon Suit in the original film.

Ben Chapman passed away at 12:15 am Hawaii time on Thursday, February 21 at the Tripler Medical Center in Honolulu. His health began to deteriorate February 12. He collapsed and was admitted to the hospital on February 20. His life support was turned off Wednesday around noon and his pacemaker was turned off shortly before he died. He died peacefully with his wife, Merrilee, and son, Ben Chapman III, by his side. He was 79 years old at his death.

His body will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Honolulu. The service will be scheduled in about a month so that relatives on the mainland can make plans to attend. Anyone who wishes to send flowers or cards may send them to:

The Ben Chapman Family
300 Wainani Way, #1612
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

I had contacted Ben a few years ago, and got my autographed photo (above). He was a really great guy. Full of Aloha. He helped talk my mom through her hip surgery, and we've been exchanging Christmas cards since then.

Weirdly enough, I had just gotten my "Creature Tiki" pendant (by Paipo) and have been wearing it non stop the last week. Little did I know, while I had it on, Ben was swimming up to that big Black Lagoon in the sky. (sob!)

Aloha Nui Ben.