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 tributeI have known you for most of my life. We met when we were both 10 years old. We have been through so much together, both good and bad. When you introduced me to Chip over 20 years ago I knew he was the ONE for you! (Even though at the beginning you insisted that he was just your roommate!) You could not have found a better match. He was your soul mate in so many ways!
I met my husband, Javier because you and Chip brought me out that weekend I visited you! We transitioned from single life into married life together.....from apartment dwellers into first time homeowners together. We helped each other with moves, house clean ups and house fix ups. We saw each other all the time. Our lives back then were so intertwined with each other. We spent weekends, birthdays, holidays and countless double dates together. You were both there to witness the birth of my first child, even though it was 4:30 a.m.!!!
Chip was and will ALWAYS be so dear to us. We have so much love in our hearts for him. There are so many happy and joyful memories of him. When I think of Chip, I think of happiness, selflessness and warmth. Chip spread happiness where ever he was, to everyone around him.
Just little things make me think of him often: The "Chip Step" (the one that he built for us 18 years ago), the "Chip Cup" (the one that he left at our house). When I see the steps in my house, I think of him. When I drink from his big purple cup every night, I think of him.
It is close to the one year anniversary of his death and Chip is missed more than ever!!!!! He will always be in our hearts and his spirit continues to stay with us. I am blessed to have known him.
I love you my friend! Emily
He will be forever missed and Charissa our continued prayers and thoughts are with you.
What always struck me about Chip was his devotion to and love for you. To me, you were always the perfect couple meant for each other. I looked forward each and every year to your Christmas cards and I have many years of portraits of you both. When I look at them all it is easy to see that you made each other happy. I hope to see you soon. Thank you for sharing this memorial site with me. Judi
He epitomized all our core values with his impeccable character and integrity, tireless commitment to the service of others, always-positive attitude, and ever-present smile.
Once aboard, he quickly took on many responsibilities and soon became a Principal, overseeing all special inspections, materials testing laboratories and structural engineering company wide.
Chip immediately earned the love and respect of everyone. The more we learned about him, the more we loved him.
We already knew he had the best hair at ENGEO, but we also learned that:
He was an accomplished poker player and routinely won our Texas hold’em tournaments
He was quite an artist - see program; he drew that when he was 10
He could sing
He was a rabid fan of his Alma Mater, Texas A&M
He always had the BEST Halloween costumes (drag queen, rabbit, etc.)
He had a phenomenal sense of humor – (tell eat-my-shorts story)
Most of all, he had the warmest, most kind nature.
Never bragged about his accomplishments
Never complained
Never spoke badly about another
He always searched for opportunities to help others, and never waited to be asked.
He wasn’t merely a coworker or colleague; he was a brother, a mentor and, for many, a father figure.
He always seemed to bring a warm light to his surroundings that elevated all of us every day.
Have you ever met a person that no one had anything negative to say about? That was Chip. And that is what we should all strive to be.
Chip, you have had a profound and ever-lasting influence on all of us and we are truly proud and honored to have worked with you.
The greatest wish we can give someone is Peace, and we know you have found yours. We love you and miss you very much.
As a fellow Principal of ENGEO I did have the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time with Chip professionally……but never really had the opportunity to know Chip well personally. Still, one always felt very close to Chip, he was just that kind of guy. He had the most amazing demeanor….. forever calm and level headed . Chip always reminded me of something my Mother always told me “Remain calm on the surface…and paddle like hell underneath”
I miss his smile…
I miss his insights..
I miss talking football
Thoughts forever….Shawn
love lisa
David & I always looked forward to seeing you guys at business functions because Chip was always so fun to be around. (And you too!)
He made us laugh and always feel welcome. We used to talk about how we wished you guys lived closer, so we could spend more time with you. I often thought of you these past few years and wondered how you were doing..... People like you and Chip were a rare find in today's world and your loss is shared by many.
What can I say? "It WILL get better"! The hurt and loneliness will
always be there........ But it will get better, over time. You see, I know .... I lost David to cancer just over 3 years ago. Just know that Chip's spirit has not died..... Just his body. He is with you today just as he always was. I have found this to be true of David. Look for the signs that he and his Lord are sending to comfort you, and allow yourself that comfort. I love you girl........ Jennifer
We are honored to be able to share our memories of your beloved husband Chip. We will always remember how he greeted us with such great big smile, when he would come in for his dental visits. We will never forget his kindness, his hard work ethic and most especially his love for you. May God continue to comfort you and keep you safe in palm of His hands. We will continue to pray for you.
Much love and blessings,
Laurie and Rolando Bercasio
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.