Educator Robert Marvin Chatman, 85

ROBERT Marvin Chatman, Philadelphia public-school teacher for 23 years, active church leader and Army veteran of World War II, died Thursday of brain cancer. He was 85 and lived in Wynnefield.

He taught at a number of local schools and was a tailoring teacher at Germantown High School before his retirement in 1987.

Robert was a man of many skills. At one time or another, he took a course for surgical technicians, studied oil-burner service, real estate and pattern-making.

He had a dry-cleaning establishment, was a mortician and had numerous jobs as a handyman - all with the aim of better supporting his family.

He was born in Honea Path, S.C., to Howard L. and Marie Lewis Chatman. He got his early education in Honea Path and attended the Colored Normal, Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College, now South Carolina State University at Orangeburg. He received a bachelor of science degree in industrial education in 1947.

He completed the course for surgical technicians at the former O'Reilly General Army Hospital in Springfield, Mo., studied pattern-making at the American Gentleman Cutting and Designing School of New York City, and in 1957, received a diploma from the Weaver School of Real Estate in Philadelphia.

He later earned a diploma in oil-burner service from the Philadelphia Wireless Technical Institute. In addition, he took courses at Temple University.

"He always believed in education," said his daughter Madeline R. Chatman. "He was a caring, loving father, but he could be stern. He was what you would call a loving disciplinarian."

Robert married his childhood friend, Bertha Idella Anderson, on June 3, 1950.

He served in the Army during World War II with the all-black 370th Infantry Regiment. He was a technician 4th grade in the unit's medical detachment. He was discharged in April 1945.

In 1947, he received an intermediate professional teacher's certificate from South Carolina in the field of history. He went on to be certified in Pennsylvania to teach social studies, industrial arts, tailoring and drawing.

Robert's religious activities began when he was baptized at the Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Belton, S.C. After moving to Philadelphia in 1948, he joined Child's Memorial Baptist Church, where he served on the board of trustees.

In 1961, he became a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, and in 2002 he joined Bethany Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Myron D. Barnes Sr., his son-in-law.

He served as a member of the Monday- and Wednesday-night Bible classes, the monthly Men's Bible class, the Wednesday-night prayer meeting and the Males to Men Mentoring Ministry.

He also was active in the Sunday Morning Breakfast Missionary Ministry.

In his later years, Robert delighted in his two grandsons, Myron II and Marvin Barnes. He drove them to and from school and cheered them on at their football and basketball games.

Robert was a past president of the Philadelphia chapter of the South Carolina State Alumni Association, and was a member of the Beta Delta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

He also was active in numerous Masonic organizations.

His wife died in 2006. Besides his daughter, he is survived by Madeline's twin, Mariline A. Barnes; two sisters, Mae Lou McIntosh and Olivia K. Newsome; two brothers, Charlie and Pelham Chatman; and his two grandchildren. He was predeceased by three brothers, Raymond, Luke and Conyers Chatman.

Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Bethany Baptist Church, 58th Street and Warrington Avenue. Friends may call at 8 a.m. Burial will be in Rolling Green Memorial Park, West Chester. *