Chris D. Manzer

May 10, 1946 - Sept. 19, 2007

Chris Manzer passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 19, 2007 with his family at his bedside after a very courageous six-year battle with cancer. Mr. Manzer was born May 10, 1946.

Mr. Manzer was born and raised on the Texas panhandle. He obtained a Masters in Fine Arts in Art Education and Art History at University of Texas at Austin in 1972. During that time he worked as a teacher's assistant and was the assistant curator and artist in residence at the Elizabeth Ney Museum in Austin. His love for learning led him to a lifetime dedication to teaching. After teaching art in Houston from 1971 - 1975, Chris moved to England where he would remain for eight years. During this time he taught art at the American Community School in Cobham, Surrey, England and was a visiting lecturer in Fine Arts and the Administrator for the lower division Fine Arts program at Richmond College in Richmond, Surrey, England. Mr. Manzer returned to the United States and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Arizona State University at Tempe, Arizona from 1985 through 1990. Mr. Manzer moved to Yolo County in 1990 and taught psychology and other courses at Yuba College and Woodland Community College from 1990 to 2006. Chris wasalso a business coach withLMI of Woodland.

It was in 1995 when Chris married his wife, Colleen. Chris loved his work and his family life here in Woodland. He became very involved with the Woodland community and served on the board of directors for Woodland Chamber of Commerce, the 21st Century Foundation, the Private Industry Council and Chaired the Yolo County Workforce Investment Board. Chris's most beloved group of all was the Woodland Sunrise Rotary Club. Some of Chris's dearest friends were met through that organization. He attended rotary meetings until only weeks prior to his death.

Chris was an avid book collector and he carried his books wherever he lived like they were his old friends. Chris also loved to travel and even during his cancer battles he and Colleen would not give up on traveling. In between his cancer treatments they went to Alaska one year, England/Ireland another year and Italy the next. Chris returned to his artwork with a passion in 2006 and completed the "Living Life" Series. Chris spent hours woodcarving to complete this project in May of 2007. Chris was an inspiration to his family and friends as he strove to make each day count.

Mr. Manzer is survived by his wife, Colleen Manzer and his two stepchildren, Michelle Morrison and James Morrison. He is also survived by his aunt, Helen Sue Smith of Amarillo, Texas and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his sister, Sharon Manzer and his parents, Don and Lorena Manzer.

The family requests any memorials be in Mr. Manzer's name to either Yolo Hospice, P.O. Box 1014, Davis, CA 95617 or to Woodland Sunrise Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 8155, Woodland, CA 95776.

Services: A visitation is scheduled between 6 and 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 24 at McNary's Chapel, 458 College St., in Woodland, California. A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007 at the Christian Church located at 509 College St., in Woodland, California. A private burial is scheduled later.