Biography: ^top

This article is from our 2012 Chemical Engineering Newsletter

Michigan Made the Difference for Alumnus

Dan Chapel (BSE ’60, BSC ’60) was born in Brainerd, MN but spent his formative years not far from Ann Arbor, in Howell, MI. While attending high school, he worked as an usher at Michigan football games and developed an interest in the university. When he was ready to go to college, Dan says, “Michigan was the only place I applied, and was the school I wanted to attend.” His love for math and science led him to a dual major in chemical engineering and chemistry.

As a student, Saturdays in fall meant football, of course, and Dan was always on the sidelines rooting for the Wolverines. He loved Saturday nights at the Pretzel Bell, where he celebrated his twenty-first birthday. While at Michigan, he ran track for coach and future athletic director, Don Canham, and developed a deep respect for the role of the student athlete.

In 1961, Dan married Nancy Hays, a native of Detroit. He worked briefly for the Bechtel Corporation in San Francisco before going back to school to earn a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Southern California. Dan joined the Fluor Corporation and worked for them for forty-two years, retiring as the senior vice-president of technology. During his years at Fluor, Dan traveled extensively and the family lived for several years in Dusseldorf, Germany. There, he and Nancy developed a love of wine and a strong respect for owner-operated wineries. Today, Dan and Nancy are the owners of Cardwell Hill Cellars, a boutique winery located in the Willamette Valley of Oregon near Corvallis. The winery produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Rosé from Pinot Noir, Blanc de Noir and a Reserve Pinot Noir. All Wolverines are most welcome at the tasting room. Cardwell Hill wines are found in fine restaurants and wine shops in Michigan.

Dan follows Michigan football and tries to attend at least one game per season. He is also keenly interested in the Department of Chemical Engineering and has served as a member of the alumni advisory committee for the department. Dan and Nancy have two children, Scott and Denise.