Christopher Michael Pancratz

Christopher M. Pancratz Memorial services for Christopher Michael Pancratz, 52, of Woodbridge, Va., formerly of Cary and Arlington Heights, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today, at Miller Funeral Home and Crematorium, 3200 Galansky Blvd., Woodbridge, and from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, at Lauterburg and Oehler Funeral Home, 2000 E. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights. Born Oct. 31, 1950, in Chicago, he died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003. Christopher attended St. James Elementary School in Arlington Heights, St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights and William Rainey Harper Junior College in Palatine. He was employed by Chicago Hospital Supply in Palatine, Helth Industry Distributors Association in Alexandria, Va. and PAN Development in Woodbridge. Christopher had been involved in almost every aspect of the National Space Society. He earned the following positions and acknowledgements within the NSS, chairman of the Executive Committee, NSS Activist of the Year, vice president of public affairs and the Director Leadership Fundraising program, director of Strategic Planning Process, visionary donor, vice chairman of Membership Committee and editor of the NSS Chapter Handbook. In addition, Chris wrote many articles for the NSS magazine, Ad Astra, and served on many NSS committees, participated in half a dozen International Space Development Conferences for NSS and was involved in development of the NSS Roadmap to Human Settlement in Space. Chris was also active with the Junior Chamber of Commerce for many years. He served on the board of trustees of the United States Jaycees Foundation, and has served as Illinois Junior Chamber of Commerce state financial vice president, state public relations director, regional director and president of the Cary-Grove Jaycees. He had also received a Junior Chamber International Senatorship, and a life membership in Junior Chamber International, given to only about one half of one percent of all individuals that have been Jaycees. He spent almost 20 years with the Chicago Hospital Supply Corporation, with the last five years as president of the firm. Chris spent ten years as executive director of the Health Industry Distributors Association. Most recently, he founded his own consulting firm, PAD Development Associations in 1999. Chris is survived by his wife, Christine (nee Stanczak), whom he married Aug. 12, 1973; his children, Katherine of Woodbridge and Phillip (Kimberly) Pancratz of Virginia Beach, Va.; his grandchildren, Jillian, Alina and Joseph; his brothers, Matthew (Heather) Pancratz of Homer, Alaska, Andrew (Jeanette) Pancratz of Hoffman Estates, Kevin (Joyce) Pancratz and Richard (Lynette) Pancratz both of Arlington Heights; and his sisters, Anne of Evanston and Barbara (Ronald) Heiderman of Niles. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Louise Pancratz. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the National Space Society or to the U.S. Jaycees Foundation. Friends may visit www.dailyherald.com/obits to express condolences and sign the guest book. For funeral information, (847)253-5423.