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Chris Christensen has Passed Away #171273
03/11/09 11:06 AM
03/11/09 11:06 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,355
Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ...
RickWhite Offline OP

Carpal Tunnel
RickWhite  Offline OP

Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,355
Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ...
I was shocked when I got an email with a notice of a service for Chris. I was informed that indeed one of the great pioneers of beach cat sailing has gone on to less troubled waters.

Chris was a very big, big guy. Many of you might remember seeing him single-handedly loading his Nacra 5.8 on top of his van. I was amazed.
He was always laughing and always fun, and when sailing, always fast.
He was very instrumental in getting Hobie sailing started in Florida. And he was the guy that got the rules changed so if you were a big guy, you could sail single-handed. Not sure, but Chris had to be pretty close to 300 lbs -- a real Man Mountain Dean.

He was a great competitor and I personally feel lucky to be on the same waters with him. We did dice out a lot of races.

I got this letter from Hans Barth, who also very good friends with Chris and Pauline.

Rick, Pauline phoned last Tuesday morning and said Chris passed away on Sunday.
Chris told us last September that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer, after he had lost his voice in February for a brief period.
Only a PET scan around last June, or so, revealed a huge cyst in his lungs.
So it took the doctors 3 month to find out what the real problem was.

Chris told me that he wouldn't seek treatment. He turned to some natural healing methods but found most comfort within his religious beliefs.

During our traditional Christmas get together at our house, he looked relaxed and happy, just 3 month ago. (See pic attached)

I would see him one more time about 6 weeks ago at their home, and he still was in good shape.

Pauline and Chris looked after both our sons, Eric and 4 years later, Stephen when they were between 1 to 6 years old respectively.

It was always an incredible trip to go to their house and pick up the kid after work. There was always a story, they were so good with our children, we had someone we could trust and their example is within our children forever.

He was their Uncle Chris !

To me and Laura, a catamaran sailor icon and pioneer of the sport is no more.

Hopefully see you on Saturday. Maybe you can mention him in on your website.

Thanks,

Hans

PS: I have informed Dave Rodgers, Jamie Livingston, Keith Notary, but your website would much better reach the whole community.


Chris' service is at 10:00 am this Saturday at St. Henry's church at the corner of McNab and Andrews in Pompano Beach.



1500 South Andrews Ave.
Pompano Beach, Florida 33069



Thanks,



Hans

Attached Files
christmas 2008M.jpg (220 downloads)

Rick White
Catsailor Magazine & OnLineMarineStore.com
www.onlinemarinestore.com
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: Chris Christensen has Passed Away [Re: RickWhite] #171293
03/11/09 01:38 PM
03/11/09 01:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,430
california
F-18 5150 Offline
veteran
F-18 5150  Offline
veteran

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,430
california
Fair winds and following seas.
Chris.
Our best to his family.



Richard Vilvens
Brand Ambassador
PSA Capricorn USA
R.Vilvens@yahoo.com
Fairfield, Ca
F-18 5150

http://www.capricornsailing.com/
Re: Chris Christensen has Passed Away [Re: RickWhite] #171303
03/11/09 02:33 PM
03/11/09 02:33 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Mugrace72 Offline
old hand
Mugrace72  Offline
old hand

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Originally Posted by RickWhite

He was very instrumental in getting Hobie sailing started in Florida. And he was the guy that got the rules changed so if you were a big guy, you could sail single-handed. Not sure, but Chris had to be pretty close to 300 lbs -- a real Man Mountain Dean.


Chris was my "best buddy" next to Davy Rodgers when I started sailing Hobies in 1971. He and Pauline sorta looked after this wayward hippie kid. I often stayed at their house when we went to 'Lauderdale.

There are way too many Chris stories to tell, and most would be based on his strength.

However, he had a very gentle demeanor and was probably one of the kindest guys I have ever known well.

Last time I saw him was in Key West at my house in about 1978. He was there with Pauline and Davy was there too.

I tried to look him up last year when I got back into this crazy sport, but failed at making the connection in time. Lesson: don't procrastinate on this stuff!

Fair winds Pal.



Jack Woehrle
Hobie Wave #100, Tiger Shark III
HCA-NA 5022-1
USSailing 654799E
Alachua FL/Put-In-Bay
Re: Chris Christensen has Passed Away [Re: Mugrace72] #171318
03/11/09 04:10 PM
03/11/09 04:10 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,558
Key Largo, FL & Put-in-Bay, OH...
Mary Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Mary  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,558
Key Largo, FL & Put-in-Bay, OH...
Quote
I tried to look him up last year when I got back into this crazy sport, but failed at making the connection in time. Lesson: don't procrastinate on this stuff!

So true!

Re: Chris Christensen has Passed Away [Re: Mary] #175119
04/16/09 11:11 PM
04/16/09 11:11 PM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6
Chesapeake, Virginia
D
Danny_Lee Offline
stranger
Danny_Lee  Offline
stranger
D

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6
Chesapeake, Virginia
I very sad to found this out today Uncle Chris well be missed very much. rick thanks for the picture if you have any other could you post them.
Thanks Danny

Re: Chris Christensen has Passed Away [Re: Danny_Lee] #175151
04/17/09 11:37 AM
04/17/09 11:37 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,355
Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ...
RickWhite Offline OP

Carpal Tunnel
RickWhite  Offline OP

Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,355
Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ...
That one was sent to me by Hans. I had no others. Sorry
Rick


Rick White
Catsailor Magazine & OnLineMarineStore.com
www.onlinemarinestore.com

Moderated by  Damon Linkous 

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