Elyse Chapman and son Ben sit on a bench in front of the Kalona Public Library that was presented in memory of her husband, Bruce Chapman.
Chapman was killed in an auto accident last year and the bench was the result of efforts by the Chapman family's friend, Don Arnoldy.
Elyse said the library board suggested the bench's placement by the handicap sign, where elderly and handicapped patrons would have a place to rest and wait for transportation.
"I wholeheartedly agreed with their suggestion," said Elyse, "because Bruce always had a special concern for the elderly and disabled. While in college at Azusa Pacific University, he created the senior activities department for the city of Azusa, California. His first teaching position after getting his California teaching credential was training disabled adults in independent living and job skills. It was that job he counted as his absolute favorite, the most rewarding he ever had."
Arnoldy knew the Chapmans through Desktop Publishing Forum, an online community discussing various aspects of graphic arts and publishing. Elyse and Arnoldy have been members for nearly 20 years. The forum has members from around the world. He coordinated the fundraising effort that involved people on three continents, setting up a PayPal account to collect donations.
Chapman was a teacher and licensed contractor in California and Iowa. He served as a Spec. 4 in the US Army Signal Corps and served in Germany from 1970-1973.