Chris Rosser
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Chris's obituary
Christopher Matthew Rosser, a man of high character and devotion to those he loved, passed away from brain cancer on April 18, 2026, in Knoxville, TN. Chris journeyed to Heaven, peacefully, while holding hands with his beloved wife, Marcia.
Chris was born October 1, 1957 to Gareth and Patricia Rosser. He grew up in Jackson Township, playing in creeks with his Audubon books by his side and riding motorcycles, in the woods, with his life-long buddies. Chris graduated from Jackson High School in 1975, where he excelled both scholastically and as a proud Jackson Polar Bear football player.
Chris attended the University of Missouri - Rolla’s Civil Engineering program. He was honored to be elected to the famed “St. Pat’s Board”, as a 17-year-old Freshman. Chris was very proud of his education and the life-long friends he obtained at Rolla.
His professional career began with Hammontree and Assoc. in Canton. During his tenure, he also assisted the EPA, working out of a canoe, doing river-water studies and redeveloping a sewage system for Morgantown, W. VA. When Chris and his co-workers were surveying lands for the future Stonewall Jackson Reservoir, they were ‘run out of town’ by men with shotguns!
In 1983, Chris relocated to Florida and started a satellite office for Hammontree. While living in the small town of Lake Wales, Chris became heavily involved with Jaycees. It was at a Jaycee meeting that President Chris met and soon married Marcia. Their professional lives took them to Coral Springs, FL, where Chris taught himself AutoCad 1 and Intergraph (the Government’s AutoCad-type computer software), then to Melbourne, Fl. where Chris was honored to work at The Kennedy Space Center / NASA and Cape Canaveral’s Air Force Station. Chris climbed every Space Shuttle and Rocket launch-tower’s stairs to the top and, of course, watched every Shuttle take-off and land for 8-1/2 years. While redesigning the Shuttle Landing Strip, NASA workers fondly referred to it as “Rosser’s Runway”. He always smiled about that. Chris also surveyed the inside of the Hindenburg airship hangar in Lakehurst, New Jersey, walking around on wooden timbers that were 70 years old and 22 stories high in nearly pitch black conditions. It was another ‘eerie’ and dangerous surveying situation.
In 1995, Melbourne was hit by 3 hurricanes, so Chris & Marcia decided to move North. After a year of interviewing companies across USA, the Rosser’s decided to call Knoxville, TN “home”. Chris’ company in Maryville gave him new challenges and he really enjoyed the local history and beautiful seasons, of East Tennessee. Whether it was developing thousands of acres for golf course / subdivision development, building a 600 ft bridge over the French Broad River, assisting in the Manhattan Project’s Y-12 clean-up project, laying out new runways for the local airport, or assisting a homeowner to find their lot corners, just to put up a fence, Chris put his heart and soul into every single project. He over a hundred active projects, at any given time, and remembered every single detail of each project.
Chris LOVED his profession. Like the saying goes, “They don’t make land anymore”, and Chris took the importance of this precious Earth and it’s ownership to heart. He became a sleuth to determine land ownership boundaries. Historical records from hundreds of years ago were his tools to decipher the true intent of the lands. Whether he was surveying a small city lot or thousands of acres, Chris treated every customer with dignity and respect. In pure Chris Rosser style, he also treated everyone around him with respect, addressing his co-workers as “Mr. (last name) “ to show his reverence towards them.
Driven by an endless thirst for knowledge, Chris was a lifelong learner and a devoted teacher to his co-workers. He had a passion for discovering new things and the unswerving pursuit of truth. To those who knew Chris’ impeccable work, most would say that Chris Rosser was the best Land Surveyor they had ever met.
When not improving / enjoying their beautiful backyard retreat, weekends and vacations found Chris and Marcia camping, hiking or traveling in search of new historical sites. They never passed a Revolutionary / Civil War battlefield or State Capital without stopping. Chris’ love for history led him and Marcia on many delightful trips across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean Islands. Chris’ fascination with geology, also allured him to camping trips in Utah and Arizona. Climbing to ancient ruins and the ‘airiness’ of Angel’s Landing, in Zion National Park, are a couple of his fond trips with friends DJ & Twyla. Somehow, DJ also talked him into skiing / snow-shoeing a part of the Pacific Coast Trail, in the winter, sleeping in home-made igloos! And not once, but twice, Chris found himself in a boat that didn’t seem large enough, for the fury of the Atlantic Ocean. Chris was a proud Presidential scholar, especially about William McKinley (from Canton, Ohio). His collection of memorabilia is impressive to all who have seen it. Chris’ love for his family history, sent him on an Ancestry.com quest. His diligence and hard work resulted in an impressive family tree, for his family to learn from and enjoy, for generations to come. Chris Rosser also loved food and wine. He and Marcia were proud of their indoor and outdoor cuisine menus. And, oh boy, they couldn’t wait for their monthly sushi visits!
Chris provided a shining example of strength, commitment, and love, throughout his life. Known for his hardworking nature, quick wit, and easy-going personality, Chris embodied resilience and taught everyone, that no matter how hard life gets, you must never give up...even when you have brain cancer.
Chris is survived by Marcia, his wife / life-partner of 40 years. He is also survived by his mother Pat, sisters Sharon (Dale), Renee (Jim), Jennifer and brother Sid. Chris’ extended family consist of numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and grand nephews / niece. Chris’ father, Gareth “Gary” , passed away in 2013.
No services are planned. Chris' life celebration, will be decided upon at a later date. Chris requested that donations be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children or a charity of your choice.
Chris also suggests that everyone has a full-body CT scan. If Chris had gotten one earlier, it might have saved his life. Perhaps, it’ll save yours !
Condolences and fond remembrances may be sent to Marcia Rosser, 6708 Musket Trail, Knoxville, TN 37920-6274.
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