ForeverMissed
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Tributes
December 26, 2020
December 26, 2020
Phil and I knew Chris for many years and always appreciated his intelligence, intensity and desire to make the world (environment) a better place. We are saddened to her of his death. Much love to Suzanne, Julia and Katina.
December 21, 2020
December 21, 2020
Chris was my friend and mentor. We first met when we worked together at a startup company in the early 2000s. I always appreciated how he would listen so carefully to me and reply so thoughtfully. Needless to say, when I wrote my book, Teamwork 9.0, I sought Chris' advice. I shared an early draft with him for his feedback. With his sharp mind, he gave me valuable input which I incorporated into the book. We continued to stay in touch as he struggled and gave me a call this past summer eager to share a thought that I will never forget. My work is based on a system called the Enneagram and he said of it, “It is the expression of everything. I used to think in terms of right and wrong. Now I understand there is a multiplicity of representations. This is a much better way to consider issues. I appreciate the flexibility of your framework.” Thank you, Chris, for your deep understanding of my work and for your friendship. I miss you.
December 13, 2020
December 13, 2020
It’s been a little more than two months since Chris passed on, and over the course of these weeks, many memories of Chris have visited me, bringing me both great delight and much sadness. I met Chris 45 years ago and, among many other things, we shared our love of dogs. And, while all those years ago, his dog Isaac and my dog Ollie weren’t the best of friends ( typical canine territorial issues), the strong love we had for our 4-legged companions was something we always enjoyed talking about with one another. I have NEVER met anyone who had as much energy as Chris. He was always incredibly animated and expressed himself with intense enthusiasm and passion! He ALWAYS made himself available to me if I needed some advice. When I would talk to Suzie about a dilemma I was experiencing, and she knew it fell within one of Chris’ VAST areas of expertise...anything from buying a house to figuring out how to deal with a mudslide in my backyard to many, many other situations, Chris was always right there, with me and for me, equipped with suggestions of strategies that I could employ...and they ALWAYS proved to be successful! That prompted me to give him the nickname “TBG”...The Big Guy! He also very generously kept me stocked with fresh honey from the bees that he tended, for which I was so grateful. Chris was truly one-of-a-kind. He had a big heart and he was an authentic human being. He never censored what he believed to be true and his truth was always so helpful and so incredibly supportive to me. The more time that passes since he left us, the more I realize how much I miss him and how unique and loving he was. The words he uttered when grieving the loss of his dear doggie, Samantha, continue to echo in my mind.........”The grief will pass, and the memories will live”. Those words offer me great comfort at this time. I miss you, my dear friend, and I love you.
November 13, 2020
November 13, 2020
I knew Chris for a number of years as we worked together. I am so grateful I got to know him and his family. When Suzanne told me he was gone I just lost it and between the tears and the cursing I couldn't get control of myself for a few minutes. It took me a while to even come to visit this page because I was so devastated and somewhat in shock. It is so deeply sad that such a wonderful man was taken so early. It seems wrong in so many ways and I will miss him and I hurt for the whole family. I wish you all peace and hope for happy memories.
November 2, 2020
November 2, 2020
Thanks, Julia, for the slide show photos and music. It was moving and brought back my own memories and showed me many of yours that I never was part of.  [I moved to the Sierra foothills 12 months ago. Vaughn alerted me to the shocking news: "What? What! That's just not right. He's about my age I think (I'm 73). Too young!"].

Suzanne, Julia and Katrina - I am so sorry for your loss. Though I can easily evoke Chris' memory, I mostly knew him in a limited way as we both were part of the Bypass battle (I started with Nancy Maule and CPR-1 and ended up helping with the tunnel option).

Of course, I saw one or all of you mostly on Bookmobile, and HMB Library (1995 to 2013). I always looked forward to seeing you guys on so many "Alternate Thursdays". Sometimes amused to yet again save Suzanne from the library police, I was always happy to chat and grateful that I was a small part of the girls' growing up. I can really see Chris+Suzanne in Julia and Katrina: a fun, funny, quirky (delightful) family!

If there is anything such as a "good death", I think Chris must have had one, his heart's ache to leave far too soon overwhelmed by a heart bursting with grateful satisfaction for the life shared and lives he helped create. And Julia, as Chris went past "GO" the last time, I am sure he knew all along you kids were the best investments a father could possibly have made.
October 26, 2020
October 26, 2020
I have known Chris since the tunnel fight. He and I worked together on a number of MWSD issues after he left the board of that organization. Chris had a singular way of thinking and expressing himself. It was always with passion and with the best interests of the environment and his fellow man at heart. He will be greatly missed.
October 21, 2020
October 21, 2020
Chris was a friend of mine, and a true friend of the Coastside environment. I met him through the Tunnel campaign, and remember his tireless efforts, carrying file boxes full of paperwork to every meeting. When Julia broke her arm he came rushing in to the ER, took one look at her and fainted, ending up on the gurney next to her. We laughed about that for years. When I was peremptorily dismissed from the ER, Chris was the one who led the email and letter campaign which got me reinstated. A true gentleman, humor and personality, warmth and strength. I am devastated to hear of his passing, and send my love and hugs to Suzanne, Julia and Katrina. May his memory be a blessing, and may your grief soon be replaced by only happy memories of a husband and father who led a truly meaningful life.
October 21, 2020
October 21, 2020
We met Chris, Suzie, Julie and Katrina in 1994. Our lab had just died and they were getting a pup from the Pintels. We put our name on the list and got Abe the following June. That was the beginning of our friendship. Chris and labs just went together.           A couple of years ago I was visiting Montara after having moved to the mountains permanently and Chris gave me two jars of honey. He wanted to know what I thought about them. One was from August and the other September. First of all it was the best honey ever. Distinctive flavors for each month. It was so interesting to talk to him about the whole process.             In 2008 Christ was campaigning for Obama in Reno. He stayed at our house about an hour from Reno and went in every day to face the opposition. I believe Obama won because of Chris.       He was brilliant, enthusiastic and joyful about life.  He loved our yellow labs as if they were his own. We are better off for having known him.  Love to you Suzie, Julia and Katrina. We will see you when it is safe to do so. Susan  
October 20, 2020
October 20, 2020
Chris was a great man. He was a man of integrity and humanity beyond what seems possible in these times. 

I knew him through good times and bad for over 30 years, and he was always the same open-hearted citizen of the world no matter what the circumstances. A twinkle of bemusement rarely disappeared from his demeanor, as he repeatedly and energetically launched himself into his many interests, occupations and passions. He could be very serious about many things, but lacked the capacity to take himself too seriously.

Chris had an exceptionally good life, much of it due to the sustaining love of Suzanne, Julia and Katrina. We know there are a lot of fine things to come that Chris did not live to see, and no doubt his family will feel that loss forever. But, good god, what he did with time he had would be enough to fill several lifetimes of creativity, commitment and accomplishment. 

I was blessed to have been his friend. 

Michael Perna
October 17, 2020
October 17, 2020
It had to be around 1988 when Chris and Suzie and the girls came to the Cow Palace to meet labrador retriever breeders. That is where we first met this wonderful man and his wonderful family. We knew immediately that we wanted them to have one of our pups, and that is how Reba came into their lives and how our friendship began. After Reba and over the years Samantha, Penny and Lucy entered their lives. Our relationship stayed strong; Diana and I realized a long held dream to visit them in Montara, and it was so worth the wait. A beautiful location for a beautiful family. My endearing memory goes way back to '88 when this fun loving family met us at the old Nut Tree to pick up Reba. They all squeezed in to the family Subaru loaded with camping gear. Years later they showed up at our house in the same vehicle, still squeezed in! Such a gentle soul. RIP, Chris
October 17, 2020
October 17, 2020
It isn't often the you meet a genuine kindred spirit. Chris's dedication to the environment and our human community had no peer. As someone who has used his art in support of land preservation, I found my friendship with Chris to be enlightening. Seeing his willingness to mix it up, to attend meetings, to speak truth to power, reminded me of what real courage looks like. Our conversations were wonderful, including those during his convalescence in which he challenged me and enlarged my world. There won't be another like him, and he will be missed.
October 16, 2020
October 16, 2020
I met my “little brother” in 1975, same time as I connected with Suzanne in grad school. He was already an adult: owning property, working in non-profit land, an avid naturalist and photographer. And a mean cribbage player. We “got” each other pretty quickly, and I knew that here was someone who would always have my back. And also a mensch who could admit when he was wrong (not often). We trusted each other with our lives, and our hearts and families. I’ll embrace him until the day I die, hoping I will be able to hug him when I go. Surely there is no COVID in heaven!! Miss your humor, smarts, and dedication to what is good and right. And bees. Love forever, Auntie Cynthia

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