Chris Dippold

Chris Dippold

1966-2018

 

     Chris Dippold died of a heart attack on 1/31/18 in Baja California.  His wife and family were by his side.

     He was born in Chicago, IL in 1966 to Linda and Chuck Dippold.  His sister, Laura, was born 4 years later.  He was sure he would never receive as many Christmas presents again.  He adored her just the same.  He spent his formative years in food service and never lost his love of efficient and neat use of a kitchen.  The dishes were often washed before anyone started eating. 

     He left home on a motorcycle at the age of 19 and ran out of gas and money in Santa Fe, NM.  He never looked back.  His love of the Colorado Plateau was complete and immediate.  His intoxication with the West led his whole family to move West from Illinois and join him on many mountain and desert adventures. 

     He was the ultimate ski bum, working at the St. Bernard and skiing countless days of powder at Taos Ski Valley.  He was a beautiful and powerful telemark skier who NEVER double pole planted.  He counted many people in Taos and at the St. Bernard as lifelong friends.  His ultimate compliment was "this is just like Taos in the 80's".

     His summers were spent guiding on the Rio Grande and the Colorado in the Grand Canyon.  He rowed more than 70 trips in the Grand Canyon.  He excelled in the human history of the Canyon and the logistics of putting together a safe trip.  He could pack a whole house into an 18 foot YELLOW boat.

     The Grand Canyon took him to Flagstaff, AZ.  He met the love of his life on a chairlift on the last day of ski season 1998.  They were married within 4 months.  Their honeymoon was a 2 person, 16 day Grand Canyon rowing trip.  His beloved son Sam was born a year later.  The family eventually moved to Durango. 

     Chris could do anything that involved a practical, focused mind, efficient use of time and space, and a strong arm.  He built many homes.  He was a cook, a Paramedic, Ski Patroller and a business owner.  But, his proudest achievement was the care of his family as a stay-at-home dad and husband.  He did it superbly, always ready with a cup of coffee, a ride to practice or a listening ear.

     He led many family adventures from river rafting and camping to surfing, biking and skiing.  The "stinkin" desert of the Colorado Plateau and eventually Baja was Chris's home.  He was truly a Gypsy Soul.  He died in a place he loved, doing work he loved with the people he loved by his side.

     Mourn the loss of the person, but his spirit survives in every Datura and Sego Lily, every Baja wave, and every rock in the Grand Canyon. May you shred the mountains of Taos and raft the Grand Canyon for eternity.  You will be forever loved and missed.   He is finally and truly at peace.

 He is survived by his wife of 20 years Betty Lasich, his son Sam Dippold, loving parents Chuck and Linda Dippold, adored sister Laura (Brian) DeGolier, and  numerous in laws.

   A private memorial will be held at Shoshone Point on Chris and Betty's 20th wedding anniversary.