Christopher John Ascher

On Monday, January 8, Chris Ascher, loving husband and brother passed away at the age of 65.
Chris was born on January 4, 1959 in Minneapolis, MN to Jim and Gerry Ascher. Chris spent his childhood and school-age years in Richfield, MN.
A man with a strong work ethic, his first job was a paper route shared with brother Mark, where they pulled a newspaper filled wagon but on minus 20 below days, Dad would help out with loading up the station wagon to get the job done and give the boys a warm break. He didn't mind working in fast food at McDonald's in Edina because he saw the possibilities and quickly was promoted to a manager role, no doubt because of his ability to connect with customers and workers. But he also didn't mind cleaning airplanes for NWA as a college student and parking cars at the Decathlon Club.
Chris attended Augsburg College and graduated with a degree in Business Administration/Finance and immediately began his financial and wealth management career working for first, Merrill Lynch, then Dean Witter and finally 30 years with Morgan Stanley with a career wrap-up with RBC.
A single guy, he worked very long hours to build his broker clientele and develop his expertise. In 2010, at the annual Morgan Stanley conference, Chris was awarded the Morgan Stanley Manager of the year award. His ability to connect with others was a key to his continued success.
Chris was a man always on the move. He played basketball in grade school but when he got his hands on a soccer ball, he never let go.....( oh, his hands never touched the ball) going on to play on the "Richfield's Minnesota State High School State Championship team. AtAugsburg College he was captain and the leading scorer for the last MIAC undefeated championship soccer team in 1980. His teammates became his lifelong friends. On the Augsburg College Alumni Board as member and president, he led a capital improvement effort that ultimately helped build the Center for Science, Business and Religion on campus.
A lover of the outdoors and always a bicyclist, Chris explored Richfield spaces and beyond as a kid. As a teen, before distance biking was cool, he and a neighbor friend rode their bikes to Brainerd, camped and rode back to Richfield. He and Sue, biked all over the US and he was happiest exploring the world on his two wheels with her. In the winter the two of them traded in bikes for skis and schussed the best ski runs in North America.
A passionate wine collector and expert, he was generous with his expertise and his bottles of wine.
Chris grew up in a family that liked to have fun. He was the funny man, one who could make us all laugh. One year, the siblings drew names for the Christmas gift exchange only to discover all the slips of paper had his name on them.
Along with a sense of humor, he was also a peacemaker
Chris met the love of his life, Susan, and they married in 2009. They had a shared life of activity and faith....true partners in life and love.
The devastating diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's in 2021 led them on an unexpected path of how to live with ever changing constraints on their daily life. Chris never complained. He always "went with the flow" of changes and was always kind to everyone he encountered on his journey.
He was a man grounded in his faith in God and he will be greatly missed.
Chris is preceded in death by Jim and Gerry Ascher, parents; Joe Ascher, nephew; Chris Selchow, step-nephew; mother-in-law Judy Boylan
Chris is survived by his wife of 14 years, Susan Ascher.
Chris was the fifth of 7 children; he loved and was loved by all his siblings. He leaves behind his brothers Mark (Melissa) and Mike (Erin) and four sisters, Corinne Shepherd (John), Therese Adams, Kathryn Selchow (Steve), Elizabeth Stroner, nephews, Jim Shepherd (Erika), Michael and Nick Selchow, John Ascher, Ben Ascher, Will Ascher, great-nephew, Declan Shepherd, nieces, Alexis Ascher and Catherine Stroner.
Funeral Mass is 11am (visitation at 10am) on Friday, January 19th all at St. Victoria, 8228 Victoria Drive, Victoria, MN. 55386.
Memorials may be sent to Augsburg University, Minneapolis, MN in memory of Chris Ascher. https://www.augsburg.edu/giving/how-to-give/