I only recently learned of your father's passing so did not get to attend the memorial. I knew both you and Alex as babies and your parents spent numerous weekends with our family in Pacific Grove and later in Camino and Magalia. I have many wonderful memories of your Dad and Mom, both before and after children, and knew how much they both loved you and Alex. Chris was a genuinely kind and caring man, father, son, brother, friend, child advocate, and environmentalist and he will never be forgotten. My sincere condolences are offered to you, Alex, your mother Karen, and all of your family members. Karen Knippen
0
1999, Yuba City, CA, USA
Sutter Power Plant Team
— with
Joe Ronan,
Barbara LeVake,
Katherine Potter,
Charlene Wardlow,
Carolyn Baker
and Mike Horn
0
I had the privilege to work with Chris on the successful effort to site Calpine Corporation's first greenfield natural gas fired power plant in CA. Chris was our leader through the CEC process which the rest of us had not done! It remains the best team effort I have been involved in during my 40-year career. We all worked hard and long hours, ate a lot of meals at the Red Robin in Yuba City, about the only restaurant at the time, and negotiated with farmers and labor unions to see the plant successfully permitted and built. Great memories! To his family, I am so sorry for your earthly loss. He will be missed.
0
Hello everybody,
Thank you for everyone’s kind words regarding Chris in recent weeks. Here is a link to the video slideshow of photos of Chris we displayed at the ceremony, if anyone couldn’t make it (or had trouble seeing the screen when the sun was bright).
Best,
Tom Ellison
1
2011, Duke California Team Annual Reunion
Chris with Mike Barr and Jane Pearson, Reunion-ing
1
Chris’ kindness, thoughtfulness and caring for the world will be greatly missed. We need more Chris Ellisons in the world today.
2
Tom and Alex, I’m so sorry I can’t be there tomorrow to honor your Dad’s life. If I were in the Bay Area I would certainly attend his life celebration.
Chris was a remarkable man. And the world is a lesser place without him. I always enjoyed our dynamic conversations. He brought energy and enthusiasm to every well thought out topic. He was kind, thoughtful and always considerate. Although our friendship drifted apart I always held him in the highest regard.
You were both blessed to have such a fabulous Dad. I’m sorry you didn’t get to have more time with him. My heart goes out to you.
Warmly, Karen Boness
1
Tom and Alex - Alan and I are so sorry not to be with you to celebrate your dad’s remarkable life. Seeing the pictures on the website just now brought back so many great memories that our family has of good times with yours - Mountain Meadows, Yosemite, Tahoe, SCDS events, birthday parties and much more. Alan remembers great times with Chris at Kings’ games, and with Chris, Tom and Charlie at Boy Scout events. Like your parents, we treasured the opportunity to give our children the experience of spending time in nature, and we were so glad to have your family to share that with. As you know, I was a colleague of your dad’s for many years (although, on the water, not the power, side), and I can only echo what you are hearing and will hear from many people about what a talented, respected and admired attorney your father was. He was creative and hard-working, and, importantly, he could always find and appreciate the humor in a situation. We send our love and deepest condolences to you both, to your mom, and to Chris’s family, many of whom we met over the years. The world is a lesser place without your dad.
Margaret Leavitt and Alan Lilly, Charlie and Laura
1
Chris had a special way of bringing warmth and a steadying presence to every Chabot Board discussion, always with a smile. His thoughtful insights and leadership made a real difference, and he’ll be deeply missed. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.
1
Chris was kind, smart and a very skilled communicator. We worked together for just a year on the ICRI board. He made heartfelt connections. This is a loss for mankind - the good kind. - Michelle Wing
1
Chris and I served on the International Child Resource Institute (ICRI) Board of Directors for almost two decades. He was a dedicated board member and wonderful friend and will be missed by all.
1
I worked with Chris several years ago and was always inspired not only by his intellect but also his kindness and passion. He is missed.
Elizabeth Paynter
1
Chris was such an interesting, complex person. I worked with him initially at the Energy Commission and Attorney General’s Office, and then we were friends, in and out of touch, for the rest of his life. I remember discussions (and arguments) about everything from parenthood to politics to wine to the Dodgers and Giants. His interests were so broad I couldn’t even discuss a lot of topics with him- like his physics interests- so I just listened. He loved to talk! The last time I saw Chris was in 2020 when he was in Montana, where I live. We drove to Yellowstone and then to Idaho. He wanted to visit the area near Henry’s Fork. He had a lot of family history and connections to that area, which he shared. I knew how much his existing family meant to Chris, but was touched by how much of his family history he knew and valued. Another dimension to a very multi-dimensional man. Thanks, Chris, for all the memories.
2
I am so sad for Tom and Alex for the loss of your father. I know you were close.
1
Chris was a charter member of the Old Farts – a group of (now) mature folks who started working in the mid-1970s with somewhat intertwined energy-related careers in various parts of the Jerry Brown administration. Our paths continued to cross over the next 40+ years. In the late 2000s we formed the Old Farts, and we used to gather for dinner somewhere in Sacramento or the Bay Area, sharing news and gossip, and telling old stories that most people don’t know about and several would prefer to forget. Our dinners were interrupted periodically by various events (travel, illness, the pandemic, people moving to different locations), but the gang still managed to keep in touch. Chris was a brilliant strategist, colleague, and friend. He will be sorely missed by all of us.
2
My condolences. So saddened to hear that Chris has passed. He was always a class act, deeply knowledgeable especially about California energy regulations, honest and fair. I enjoyed working with him immensely, though it has been many years since we last worked together. He is missed by more people than you know.
1
My condolences to Christopher's family. Christopher and worked together for several years and and I was continually amazed at his intellect and appreciated his wit and friendship.
2
Dear Alex and Tom,
I was deeply saddened to hear about your father's passing. Your father was a remarkable man and a dear friend to me for many years. I have always admired his wisdom, warmth, and steady presence. He spoke of both of you often with so much pride.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this incredibly painful time.
If there is anything you need or if I can support you in any way, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
My thoughts and prayers are with you both and your family.
With deepest sympathy,
Ellie
1
1
Share with others
