James Walker Christopher passed away peacefully, in the company of his family on April 12, 2016, from complications due to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). He was born November 5, 1930 in Philadelphia, PA, to Arthur and Cornelia Christopher, and spent his childhood in Audubon, NJ. He loved being on the Maryland shore where he loved to sail.
Chris (Jim) received a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Rice University and a Masters Degree from MIT. He served in the Navy during the Korean War, was active in the Naval Reserve, and retired a Captain.He came to Utah in 1956 to teach at the University of Utah School of Architecture. In 1963 he co-founded Brixen and Christopher Architects with Martin Brixen. The firm went on to receive many local, regional and national design awards, including being named architectural firm of the year by AIA Utah and the Western Mountain Region AIA. He leaves behind a wonderful design legacy in our community, including two projects that he held close to his heart: Nunemaker Place at Westminster College, and Snowbird, including the Master Plan, Base Building, Tram, The Lodge and The Inn. Some other projects important to him include Rowland Hall Lower Campus, Congregation Kol Ami and St. James Episcopal Church. He was also dedicated to preserving our historical buildings, and was recently awarded the Utah Heritage Foundation's Lucybeth Rampton Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chris was a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects and received the Special Presidential Citation for AIA's 125th Anniversary in 1982. He was also awarded the Silver Medal by the Western Mountain Region AIA, the Bronze Medal AIA Utah and the AIA Utah Lifetime Achievement Award. The University of Utah named him an Honorary Alumnus in 1995. He was National Chairman of the R/UDAT National Task Group, President of the Alta Club, and a dedicated board member of the Utah Heritage Foundation. He also was a long-time member of All Saints Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and was a loyal member of the Tuesday Morning Men's Group, where he gained lifelong friends.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bob. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Carolyn Kennard Christopher, and his five children: Bill Christopher (Veluna), Kathy Crawford (Gary), Kim Smart, Jamie Christopher (Nancy) and Pam Mitchell-Maidon (Gilles), along with 13 beloved grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and his sister-in-law, Mary, and family. Chris loved to golf, ski, sail, travel (especially to Coronado) and cheer for the Utes football and basketball teams. He greeted everyone with an infectious smile and was loved and admired by all those who knew him. His family wishes to thank all of his dear friends who supported him along the way and his caregivers at Right at Home, Sunrise Assisted Living and Inspiration Hospice.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 4:00 pm at All Saints Episcopal Church, 1710 Foothill Drive. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Utah Heritage Foundation, the University of Utah Clinical Neurosciences Center, or your favorite charity.
