"And in that moment, his world has changed forever.” It is with great sorrow that the Kastel/Hindmarsh family announces the passing of their beloved rock, Christopher John Kastel, age 60, on December 7th, 2025.

No matter how many times these words are read, disbelief doesn’t change. But here we are. And there he will forever be, standing beside loved ones already passed, all of them washed in God’s glory.

What can be said is that Christopher was born and raised West Springfield, and possessed a top-tier tradecraft that led him all over the world on R&D quests. He was an instrumental member of the original segway design team, bringing both the machine and arguably the safest and most efficient lithium-ion battery of its generation to market. Japanese manufacturers wanted to meet him. So did Beijing. A stint with Amazon followed, to establish protocols so their first generation of warehouse robots could operate safely alongside humans. And when that was all said and done, Chris returned to West Side to build restaurants and decks, and keep households in fluid working order so family and friends felt safe and sound inside their cozy homes.

But none of this seems important right now, does it, because none of it makes any sense. Even the worst of writers knows words come after the processing, not before. Meaning we are still much too early to read about this heaviness of heart adding unforeseen frost to our winter.

For years, I rode shotgun in a truck, awestruck by my brother’s interactions with this life of his creation— his every wave and handshake, and conversation- directed to each and every one of you. I listened to stories that carried no faces, marveling at a coalition of friendships built upon the heart and filled with loyalty and respect, proving how difficult it is to have acquiantances when everyone is a friend. My God, he loved all of you.

Which explains the nonstop and never-ending sympathies arriving at our door. Even those keeping distance prove that even in this age of noise, silence still speaks volumes— all of us grappling with the shock of how a heart so pure of blood might still so suddenly disappear.

In light of this, and on behalf of those predeceased, including relatives from the north, and stepfather Alexander, Chris’s surviving family, mother Priscilla Hindmarsh, brother, Erick, and father, Adolf, have decided that with these final words it is equally important to acknowledge that their brother, cousin, and son, Christopher John, has also left behind all of you.

So to the children of his family and friends- you know who you are. We are so sorry for your loss. There is no greater heartbreak in youth than a father-figure who celebrates your victories and holds fast during your defeats, yet leaves your life much too soon, and no one learned that lesson harder than Chris.

It’s the core reason you all knew him. He simply wanted to be there in a way so many of his father-figures tragically weren’t, and if there is such a thing as regret after death, the fact he’s not here for you now would be his biggest. Outside of your parents, Chris was a protector. Without question or doubt, I believe this. And it’s more than okay to say so.

As for everyone else- we move forward in our respective journeys- Chris’s mantel now ours to carry. Remember that ultimately, Topher left us the very same way his older brother, Adolf, left him so many years ago- suddenly and without warning. We are now tasked to do the same, and if there’s one positive to extract from this moment in time, it’s to follow the path Chris forged.

The death of his older brother was the greatest challenge of Chris’s life, which he accepted by filling his broken and shattered heart with all of you- embracing many as brothers and sisters— speaking with strangers until they became friends.

Like I said, we were his world, and it has been irrevocably changed forever; through heart and mind, both in sadness, and in peace.

Now we say farewell to the booming voice and strong presence, and we do so as one, large extended family. Thank you for loving him as you did. Keep your faith in the Lord. May God bless each and every one of you and your families.

Amen.

Finally, we extend heartfelt thanks to Curran-Jones for their professional patience and guidance during this family’s current circumstances. Even without Chris’s surprise, there are existing medical needles to thread, which have forced us to make outside-the-norm decisions.

As such, we ask everyone to keep a heartfelt placeholder for this beloved man, so that once the physical healing is all said and done, we can gather in late spring to celebrate Chris’s life in a way he most aptly deserves. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/christopher-kastel/obituary/

Copy