2024 April - sharing the link to Chip's remembrance video that was compiled last year. See below for time stamps. Much love, Charissa
CHIP IV on Vimeo
2023 April – 10 Year Remembrance. This year makes 10 years since Chip transitioned. To honor his memory, I decided to put together a 30-minute video featuring our close friends and family. This compilation highlights their fond memories. Listed below is the timestamp outline. Thank you to everyone who participated. Chip was an inspiration to many of us and he continues to be remembered for his integrity, kindness and big, loving heart. Much love, Charissa
CHIP IV on Vimeo
Intro Music (Chip’s guitar played by Casey)
00.10 Emily, Javier (friends)
01:36 Nimone (friend)
02.57 Chet (father-in-law)
04.11 Margaret (mother-in-law)
05.11 Mika (friend)
06.49 Gail, Jeff (friends)
07.28 Kate (friend)
08.13 Olga, Javier (friends)
09.41 Uri (friend)
10.44 Alexis (niece)
11.28 Kevin (friend)
12.34 Danielle “Dany” (niece)
13.34 Brooke (niece)
15.14 Dolly, Sophia (sister-in-law, niece)
16.22 Fred (brother-in-law)
17.48 Patrick (godson)
18.32 Vida (friend)
19.52 Alex (godson’s brother)
20.38 Uncle Ranjan (friend)
21.19 Sharalynn (friend)
22.22 Yon (friend)
23.25 Casey, Kim (godson and wife)
24.48 Andy (brother)
26.02 Carrie (mother)
26.27 Charissa (wife)
29.24 Casey playing Chip’s guitar
29.49 Tyler (godson)
2022 April. CHIP….He knew that the full Windsor was classic but noted that had gone out of style. He subscribed to GQ, Whiskey and Cigars – stayed current but classic. He had the old brush and shaving cream, just like my dad had when I was growing up in Africa. He didn’t care for fluff, relished everything about life. He was interested and fascinated by the stars, anything physics, all kinds of religions, beliefs, people. He used to tell me that he could people watch all day. Just sit and watch. Loved games with skill and thought. His mind was always busy, always doing something that used his mind. He loved working with his hands. He took pleasure creating, making things beautiful. Loved woodwork, he loved working with wood. Patient and impatient, with great attention to detail, great pride in the work he did with his hands. He loved history and things that were old, but he also loved gadgets and the newest of the new. Always went for quality, not anything cheap. “It lasts longer if it’s built right Reese,” he would say, so we’d spend a bit more $$ and get quality.
He came from a state that had and has big pride. He went to a ‘labeled’ school, something I never got to do and always wanted to. But that didn’t affect his humility and sense of real – but he had pride about his upbringing, his schooling, how he lived. He treated everyone with love and kindness. He talked people up, made them feel like they were something special. Humor, he was so funny. His humor was dry but super witty and smart. Never mean to anyone even self-deprecating in his humor. That took a special kind of talent and empathy. He was so kind and funny, so funny. Movies. He loved the most bizarre, disturbing ones to things as light and mindless as Clueless; from off beat B flicks to the heavy Reservoir Dogs, and Clockwork Orange. He loved music and his taste in music was as diverse as his interests in movies. He was comfortable to be around and with himself. But he was actually a very shy guy, but that added a lens of real and caring. What a wide spectrum and he stayed current too, in music and the latest video games. He loved the ocean, he loved swimming. When he was in the ocean, he’d be lost in another world of discovery with all the fish, sea creatures and plants. Looking through his eyes, were looking at something through eyes of wonder and newness. I swear he was a fish in another life. If he had gills, he’d live in that underwater world. He could stay there for hours exploring. He lived in the now every single day.
2021 April. Earlier this week, I came across a picture of Chip and one of his colleagues Gil, at ENGEO (see Gallery tab photo 8, ENGEOBowling 011). It was at a group bowling activity taken exactly 1 day before Chip passed away. As I looked at the picture, I kept and still keep looking at it thinking to myself, these two look so happy and content like everything is fine. Who knew that 24 hours later, everything would change? Just like that, in a blink of eye, life changed completely. Chip always lived in the moment. #livefortoday#foreverlove
2020 April. Sometimes, it's the simplest of words....
❤️ Chip, my heart, my love ❤️
Tributes
Leave a tributeThinking of you always brings a smile to my face. Knowing you was such a blessing.
All of us are really missing you, especially this time of year. Your spirit will forever be with us and will forever propel us.
Uri
Four years since Chip's transition and I'm sure that time feels like a blink of an eye...perhaps because you feel his love and presence everyday. I admire your focus to be present and in the moment. Just two days ago, I turned on my old digital camera that I haven't looked at in a year and scrolled through the photos and there was Chip and you at a TYLIN gathering. A warm smile (albeit resigned) came over my face...I said his name out-loud. Continue your journey - step forward, step back, step sideways, step whatever way Take your time. Just be. Love and be loved.
Sending my love...Michael
You are in our continued thoughts and prayers as we never will forget Chip and all the fond memories that he gave to us....
Love & prayers
Marcus & Leticia
Thank you for sharing your journey of grief and how you are coping and incorporating Chips transition into your daily existence. I was aware of the anniversary the other night and reflected on that evening we spent watching Beach Blanket Babylon in North Beach and drinks/dinner afterwards. The four of us...
I recall the laughter. I still can feel the ease of that night due in no small part to Chips wonderful personality and wit. I remember him shopping for cigars and sharing one with Caroline. I remember Chip choosing Johnny Walker Black as a drink and deciding to try it for the first time myself, and thinking that it fit Chip well. Smooth, enjoyable, warm. I also remember he and I finishing that bottle with a smidge of disappointment there wasn't any left:) Walking the streets afterwards, relaxed and happy with our spouses and enjoying each others company. They still "walk" with us Charissa. They will always "walk" with us.
Xoxo,
Michael
Your amazing spirit lives in our hearts every day and your mark on ENGEO will be indelible forever.
Charissa, dear friend, we love you!
I can't imagine the depth of your loss and how you must miss him. Chip was a wonderful man, friend and colleague. I think of you and him often; know that I am here to help in any way I can. I will continue to uphold you and your family in prayers.
May Gods Blessings be with you always...
Chip must certainly be one of the bright ones.
Chip's memories will be with our family forever.
Regards,
Suresh and Bhavani
I am sure he would find a way to guide you to your next venture in life..
Love you brother and I will be there for you SIs.
I wish Chip was still here with you (and with all of us). Don't let his absence stop you from celebrating his life that was well lived. That is probably what he would have wanted you to do! Love, Courtney
Loving Chip will always protect us. -Alex Martsolf
It is difficult to put my feelings into words, as I read your letter yesterday and those of others. Chip meant so much to us and he was a true friend, as you are to us. I know that it has been very hard for you, especially during this time. Know that your friends love you and will support you in every way that we can. If you ever need me, I am here.
When I got the news today
I didn’t know what to say
So, I just hung up the phone
I took a walk to clear my head
This is where the walking led
Can’t believe you’re really gone
Don’t feel like going home
Chorus:
So, I’m gonna sit right here
On the edge of this pier
And watch the sunset disappear
And drink a beer('a Rum & Diet Coke')
Funny how the good ones go
Too soon, but the good Lord knows
The reasons why, I guess
Sometimes a greater plan
Is kinda hard to understand
Right now it don’t make sense
I can’t make it all make sense
Repeat Chorus
So long, my friend
Until we meet again
I’ll remember you
And all the times that we used to
Sit right here
On the edge of this pier
And watch the sunset disappear
And drink a beer('a Rum & Diet Coke')
Drink a beer('a Rum & Diet Coke')
Drink a beer('a Rum & Diet Coke')
Yeah
http://www.lyrics.com/drink-a-beer-lyrics-luke-bryan.html
P.S. I would love to get together sometime when you are in Riverside.
Thinking of Charissa and his family on this day, Jocelyn
Although today marks the 1-year anniversary of Chips’ passing, know that both of you have often been in our thoughts this past year. I’m sure many, like ourselves upon meeting you both for the first time, privately rejoiced in the recognition that your union constituted one of those “wonderfully suited-for-each-other couples” that comes from two unique individuals whose differences and shared attributes were an even greater recipe together. It was immediately clear what made Chip so easy to like, so quickly. He was so genuinely comfortable being himself that it made others comfortable being in his presence even during a mini crisis like when he locked us all out of your home during a dinner. One couldn’t help but chuckle as he assessed his options. Climb onto a two story narrow ledge and break a 60 year old window like some super-hero? He mulled that option over hard while he did some deep bends and high knee raises. Nah, they don’t make replacement window panes that size anymore. Best to go to the neighbors for a spare key which then resulted in a display of Chip’s other marvelous attribute – his wit. “Hey guys, got the key but just don’t ask me why the neighbor felt comfortable answering the door naked, ok?” The list of possibilities rattled off over the next 15 minutes leaving us in stitches and forgetting the initial dilemma. I guess what really separated Chip from so many other fine people is that he truly savored life and warmly included others to savor it with him. Whether it resulted in a chagrined bartender informing the four of us that we finished the bottle of Johnny Walker Black over so much laughter in North Beach or quietly sitting on your front porch under a starry night murmuring how sweet his cigars tasted, you didn’t want the moment to end when you were with Chip…
Leave a Tribute
--Jav
We miss you, buddy.
Garbage can train pass
Charissa:
Scott and I are in the kitchen remembering when you were here with Chip, Gail and Jeff. Scott, Bradley and I were laughing how he held you upside down to get my train pass that you accidently threw away. Gail and Jeff wrote about in in Januayr 2014 but the story still lives in our memory of the fun time we had and what a special person he was! Hope you are well and know you are always welcome in Scarsdale NY!
All our love,
Sue and Scott
Oh so many stories.....
This one is a short one. We embark on one of many business trips, this one to Phoenix, AZ. Not knowing where to stay, not wanting to be in a bad part of town but also not wanting to spend a fortune on a place to sleep we decide on a place near the airport. We chose the Vagabond Inn. It looked clean and seem to have business people there (note this was in the day-time). Well we spent the day doing meetings, had dinner and went back to the Inn. On or way to our room we noticed a few people at the other end of the second floor cat-walk. We looked at each other and smiled, our look to each other said 'no it couldnt be'. In the room a little while later after settling down watching TV and having a Rum & Diet Coke....There was a knock on the door. Chip opened the door was aone of the women that we had seen earlier. And yes our earlier look and unspoken thoughts to each other was confirmed. Chip graciously and wittily declined the womans offer, thanked her and closed the door. We both laughed and had another Rum and Diet Coke.....
I'm not afraid to say it took a few drinks to get this out. The words seem to escape me every time i try.
As a child Uncle Chip and Aunt Charissa's house was a release. It was a vacation we took three to five times a week, where I had the freedom to swim and feed fish, and be in a place where a 6th grade opinion was always valued.
As i grew i drew myself away from others. I felt that i knew what was best for me and no one could tell me otherwise. This introversion ultimately led to my own suffering.
I got myself together too late, but he saw me find direction.
He saw my wedding.
He saw my enlistment.
I wanted him to see me become a soldier.
I wanted him to see the birth of my son.
My son will be humble.
My son will be welcoming.
My son will be charismatic and sport the witt of a thousand men.
My son will know the man for which he is named.