Christopher Chesley Garthwaite

Christopher Chesley Garthwaite, father, brother, friend and grandfather, passed away peacefully in his home on April 15th, 2018. Chris was a 6th generation Californian, born September 2, 1954 in Alameda, the third child of Edwin Lowell Garthwaite, Jr. and Jean Elizabeth Anderson Garthwaite. His ancestors journeyed to Pleasant Hill when grizzlies roamed Mt. Diablo and the Miwoks were grinding acorns under great oak trees. He lived in the same farmland his Hook ancestors tended centuries ago. On long walks in the Esther Drive neighborhood, he would count bird songs and the number of passing trucks on the 680 freeway. He both marveled at and mourned the commercial and natural changes to the world he cherished. He was a lover of flowers, redwoods, mountains, and beauty. Chris was a prolific artist, a creator of paintings, poetry, music, and perhaps his favorite form - letters to loved ones. He was a mathematician as much as an artist. In Excel spreadsheets, he created beautiful bio-curves of flowers, shells and fractal forms using trigonometry and calculus. Chris deeply enjoyed the mathematics of beauty and dedicated his life to artistically linking the two disciplines. He was a playful wordsmith and etymologist, reveling in the roots of words and deeper meanings of language. A philosophical Possibilitist, with boundless curiosity and rich creative intelligence. He shared his gifts generously, always encouraging others to explore and never censor the creative impulses within us. Chris received over eight million views on WikiHow, an online learning platform. He invented the Garthwaite Curve, Jazz Calligraphy, and the theory of Neutral Operations. Chris had a close relationship to God throughout his life. As a teenager, he would climb up to a branch on his favorite tree and recite each Psalm from memory. These prayers were the balm for his heart and mind as he calmed the voices caused by mental illness. His resilience through those challenging times was a testament to his faith in God, his indomitable spirit, and loving heart. Chris is remembered by his beloved children: Sierra Louise Rhiannon Garthwaite, Scotford Chetwin Ysteddvox Garthwaite, Lowell Christopher Taliesin Garthwaite and Iris Jean Elyse Garthwaite; his granddaughter Melia Holly Garthwaite; his sister Sally Beardsley, brother-in-law Dennis Beardsley, sister-in-law Cathy Garthwaite, and his former wife Holly Kersten Garthwaite, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also grieved by best friends and fellow travelers, Cathy Keating, Joe Shelby and Karen Johnson and his daughter-in-law Jaclyn Garthwaite. He is predeceased by his brother, Peter Garthwaite, and by his parents. A celebration of life will be held at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, California on Saturday, May 19, at 2 pm. Reception to follow. Please RSVP with your intention to attend by email to i.jeanelyse@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a memorial contribution to the East Bay Artists Guild or The Hume Center. In accordance with his wishes, his family will rest Chris' ashes and spirit among the wildflowers, sugar pines and white granite of the Sierra Nevada.