Christopher Thomas Liederbach

Christopher "Chris" T. Liederbach passed away due to cardiac complications on February 26, 2024 at the age of 61 in Fort Myers, Florida, surrounded by family and friends.

Chris was born on September 24, 1962, in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents Eileen and Theodore "Ted" Liederbach. Ted and Eileen raised Chris and his four siblings in their home in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Chris attended St. Paschal Baylon Elementary School, and later Cathedral Latin School and Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio from which he graduated in 1981. Chris went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Akron where he met his former wife, Jamie Cross.

After earning his undergraduate degree, Chris served in the US Armed Forces as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He served as a Missileer, an officer who as part of a Missile Combat Crew operates and controls intercontinental ballistic missile systems, at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. Chris was known to specifically recite the length of his military service as, "4 years, 10 months, and 3 days," but his wry humor belies the fact that Chris served with distinction, expertise, and the level of commitment necessary to succeed in a position of grave authority and responsibility. Chris and Jamie were blessed by the birth of their son, Gregor, while Chris was serving in the Air Force.

After he was honorably discharged from active duty, Chris attended the Ohio State University College of Medicine and earned his Medical Degree (PhD) in 1994. He specialized as a General Surgeon and completed his medical residency in Cleveland, Ohio. Chris practiced as a surgeon out of offices in Mt. Gilead, Ohio and later Barberton, Ohio. Patients loved him and his work. He was respected and liked by his professional colleagues, and he enjoyed making important and meaningful contributions to the lives and health of his patients.

Chris spent the better part of the last two decades living in the Fort Myers, Florida area, where he met and enjoyed the company of many loving friends, many of whom became like a second family to him. Chris loved living in Florida and all of the people in his life there.

Chris was wicked smart, and he had a great sense of humor. He loved relaxing and spending time with family and friends. He was a very talented and prolific artist, and he enjoyed (and was very good at) drawing, painting, and sculpture throughout his life. He could draw and paint like no one else, and it came easily to him; he had a natural gift. He was extremely loyal to friends and family. Chris loved being outdoors and enjoyed camping, biking, canoeing, and sharing time and laughs with those he loved. Chris left this world suddenly and much too soon. He will be enormously missed.

Chris was proceeded in death by his parents Ted Liederbach and Eileen (née Butler) Liederbach. He is survived by his former wife Jamie Cross, his son Gregor Liederbach, his siblings Eric (Beth), Kirk (Judy), John (Allyson) and Moira Iapaolo (Jay) as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and innumerable friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend services at 11:30 am Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Wade Chapel inside Lake View Cemetery, in Cleveland, Ohio with inurnment immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to a Veterans charity of your choice.

The family would like to extend the utmost gratitude to the Veterans Health Association, commonly known as the VA, for providing health care to Chris throughout the later part of his life.

Arrangements are provided by Maher-Melbourne Funeral Home of Northeast Ohio. www.mahermelbourne.com