John Chappell was a geoscientist whose work on Quaternary sea-level change, landscapes, and climate helped to link Earth’s ice volume, sea levels, and past climates. Elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 1992, he made enduring contributions in geomorphology, coastal science, and environmental history. Colleagues describe him as a polymath, gifted with a prodigious memory, always ready to explain complex ideas with clarity, and unfailingly generous in his support of students and peers. Beyond his professional achievements, he was a devoted family man and a loyal friend to many.
Brad Pillans (2026) studied this question.