Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Christopher C. Bolkcom
Christopher C. Bolkcom
Obituary
Guest Book
Christopher Bolkcom Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Patty Mac
May 2, 2019
Ten years and sometimes it seems like just yesterday I heard you were gone. It is still somehow unbelievable. Love the picture of running on the beach with your kids -- you could be so joyful. You are still missed in this world -- but I'm sure you are doing great in the "next world" and still watching over your kids and family. XXOO
lizz matteson
May 5, 2011
My beloved brother we truly miss you! It has been 2 years since your passing. I wish you would have been here for the death of Osama BinLadden it is iron he was killed on 05/01/11 2 year anniversary of your death. You would be so happy. Love you.
brian nord
November 21, 2009
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Chrises death, he and I went to a lot of Twins games together, also we had the same taste in punk rock music of all things. My thoughts and prayers are with you Chris and of course your whole family.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Al Saletta
September 8, 2009
Dear Bolcom's Family,
I have read much of Christopher's work on Airpower and even today, was reading one of his testimony transcripts.
With much sadness, on behalf of the Saletta family.
June 8, 2009
I just saw this in the other Legacy site and thought people that are following this site might be interested:
Memorial service will be held at The Anglican Church of St. Dunstan, 4241 Brookside Ave, St. Louis Park, MN, June 13 at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Dunstan preferred.
Charles Gildart
May 29, 2009
Dear Bolkcoms;
I had the privilege of knowing Chris when we were teenagers at Gethsemane. My mother informed me of the tragedy this evening and it didn't take long to find this memorial and many others. He was definitely well liked and will be greatly missed. My thought and prayers are with your family in this tough time.
Charles R Gildart III
Randy Kaplan
May 20, 2009
I was shocked when I heard about Christopher. We knew the Bolkcom's through our children who attended Little Scholars, the Library of Congress Day Care. I always looked forward to talking to him about the kids, his work, and life in general. He was energetic and friendly and always seemed to have a smile on his face. My condolences go out to his family and friends and espectially to his children Jessica and Max of whom I know Christopher was so proud.
Betsy Rock-Zutz
May 16, 2009
Dear Bolkcom Family,
As neighbors growing up on Scott Avenue, Chris and I went through school together. Our paths most often crossed in music: we were both in a select district-wide choir in 6th grade. I remember all those young male voices belting out "There is Nothing Like a Dame!" I was also Glinda to his Wizard of Oz. We continued in band, and both finally got up the courage to try out for the musical our senior year. We landed spots in the chorus and had a ball in "Once Upon a Mattress."
I always thought of him as just the kid down the block until I arrived in math class one day junior year. Penciled on my desk was "CHRIS BOLKCOM IS A FOX." After a moment's reflection I realized they were right!
May happy memories warm your hearts in the days ahead. You will be in my prayers.
Beth Daley
May 15, 2009
I had the sincere privilege of knowing Christopher through his work at the CRS. He was never too busy to help a colleague understand and learn more about the topics that he so thoroughly researched. He was truly committed to shedding light on and sharing the truth with people in government and the private sector. He worked hard to help ensure that our military had what it needed to best to defend our nation. My deepest condolences to Chris' family.
Stanley Sloan
May 14, 2009
To the Bolkcom family,
I knew Chris for many years as a colleague, friend, and a warm and engaging person. My respect for his professional potential was reflected in the strong recommendation I wrote when he applied for a job at CRS. I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing.
I send a special message to his parents: We have never met, but I know how difficult this is for you. My wife and I lost our 16 year old son in 1992, and there is no greater pain for a parent. You will find ways to deal with this loss, even though the hole in your heart will never be completely healed. Your fond memories of Christopher are yours to keep and treasure. You are fortunate to have two grandchildren who will provide you, their mother and the rest of the family with a treasured link to your beloved son. You may already have discovered that you each may find your own ways to cope with your loss. Please be understanding of the different paths you may take, because we all have our own ways of dealing with such a tremendous loss. There is no text book.
With my heartfelt condolences,
Stan Sloan (retired, CRS from 1975-1999)
Thomas Neale
May 13, 2009
In memory of a friend and colleague.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
-Laurence Binyon, "For the Fallen"
Mark Bimson
May 8, 2009
I'll miss you dear cousin. We spent a day many years ago fixing his Vespa. One of my best. Can't believe he's gone.
Running with the kids at the beach
Isabel Cumming
May 7, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss. Christopher was a dear friend of mine and his love of his children was unmatched. I can not believe he is gone. The week our families spent at the beach together was one of the happiest that I can remember. He was admired and loved by so many.
Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen
May 7, 2009
Christopher Bolkcom gave a presentation at a conference in Copenhagen organised by the Danish Institute for Military Studies. In the course of the conference we came to know Christopher on only as an intelligent analyst, but also as a warm and caring person. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen (Danish Institute for Military Studies)
May 6, 2009
My heart goes out to all members of Chris' extended family. We all feel your loss and know that we've lost a great friend and colleague.
I first met Chris when we were fellow interns at the Congressional Research Service in 1988 and we became instant friends, a friendship that lasted until the day he passed.
When I think of Christopher I can only laugh at his sense of humor, his penchant for the practical joke, and his ability to make others around him feel better about things. Life was always interesting with him around and I consider it an honor to have him consider me his friend. I know that although I feel sorrow and grief these days, those feelings will be far outpaced by the good memories I have of him.
To Jessica and Max, he loved you so much and I hope that one day you'll fully understand what a great father you had.
Brian Cook
Darnestown, Maryland
Carl Clark
May 6, 2009
Deepest regrets,christopher helped me with some research,cannot believe he is gone.
My prayers are with all the family.
Alana and Paul LaBissoniere
May 5, 2009
We are shocked and the saddened by the news of Christopher's passing. Chris was a bright and shining star on this earth--he is now soaring through the heavens. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God comfort and bless you.
Joel Blade
May 5, 2009
I remember Chris from the neighborhood in Golden Valley. He was about 9 years older than me.
I remember a casual smile to match his charismatic personality. The way he laughed. I also remember he seemed to always drop by our house after dinner, specifically around dessert time!
He also had the absolute coolest fort built in a loft in their garage. I remember the door had an obscure sliding lock that was pretty difficult for us younger kids to unlock.
I wish I would’ve caught up with him more recently. I really regret not making the effort.
However, happily, the mention of his name seems to make me want to laugh.
My deepest sympathy to all his family and friends.
Misty Rambis
May 5, 2009
May God keep you all in his tender care as you say your final good-byes.
Chris had a special place in everyones' heart. He was a bright star in every walk of life. I am sure you are proud.
I am thankful for the time God put him in my life. I am a better person for knowing his spirit.
Love & Blessings,
Misty (Dobbins) Rambis
Bruno Pigott
May 5, 2009
Dear Bolkcom family, Jessica and Max,
I have been friends with Christopher since 1985 or so in Washington, D.C. I appreciate his intelligence, his humor, and his wit. I know he left us all with an important gift: treasure everyone we are with and enjoy our lives. I know he did and I will miss him.
Bruno Pigott
Lynn (Rosenquist) Streitz
May 5, 2009
Gene & Ann,
Although I have not seen Christopher since we were kid's, I can still remember his smiling little face during coffee hour at church. What an accomplished life he had. I'm so sorry for you loss, You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Anne Hawke
May 5, 2009
I'm a friend from recent years - met Christopher in 2006 and instantly struck up a friendship. One of my favorite things about Christopher is that he seemed to bring his midwestern sensibility to this world of beltway pressure, striking a more graceful balance than most people do, between his high-powered DC job as an analyst and his devotion to family, the outdoors, and overall quality of life -- not to mention his Ducati motorcycle! He once told me he hoped to leave a small footprint on the world. He meant that in the environmental sense. But Christopher likely had no idea what an important footprint he left, socially and spiritually, with all of us.
Nicolas Cook
May 5, 2009
Dear Jessica, Maxwell, and Mary Anne:
We all miss your father and former husband so very much and share your sadness. Chris was, of course, an ace analyst, top-flight intellect, and well and widely respected in his aviation and related fields of expertise.
But I knew him more as a friend at work, since our areas of analysis at CRS rarely overlapped -- although I am very glad to have helped him out when he was exploring ideas for African research projects (my area) during his recent stint at NDU. What I remember most was his outgoing demeanor and engagement with the world and current events. I can't tell you the number of times he came by to comment on the news of the day while I was eating lunch in our common area at CRS/FDT. He always seemed to have a well-placed, even edgy comment to make about accepted wisdom. He loved it if he could prompt a reaction in his conversation partner -- especially if the topic was politics.
The other thing that made him great to share company with was his often mischievous sense of humor. He wasn't above offering a slightly naughty joke among friends, and we often shared a round or two of friendly ribbing. The more and the friskier, the better, as far as Chris was concerned -- but it was always grounded in fun and friendship.
He was also generous. I joined CRS a few weeks or months after he did in 2000. When I first came to CRS, he welcomed me, made me feel comfortable, and gave me a few tips; he was already the old hand. And Jessica and Maxwell, when you guys were still fairly young, and Chris had to devote a lot of time to taking care of you, he also kindly offered to babysit my son for a night some months after he was born to give me and my wife a break. We ended up not taking him up on the kind offer, but I always remember it as an example of the Chris I knew.
Jessica and Maxwell, you've always been the light of Chris's life. Being your father made him so happy and so proud. He loved you more than anything in the world. Jessica, I will always remember when you came by the office one day with your Dad and I gave you an Obama beaded key chain from Africa. That made Chris happy, and that made me happy!
We will miss him, along with you, immeasurably.
Best wishes, Nic (CRS)
Bryan Bolkcom
May 5, 2009
Spending every Christmas with my extended family, our trips to the cabin, and the family get togethers will always be one of my fondest memories in life. Back then Christopher was like a brother to me. Though we lost touch over the years I have followed his impressive achievments and bragged about him to my friends and family. He makes all of us that share his name proud to be a Bolkcom. His loss will truly be felt by all that knew him, and the impact he had here on earth will remain with all of us left here to grieve.
Colleen Cook
May 5, 2009
I am so sorry to hear about Chris. I worked with him for a couple of years at CRS. No matter what else was going on in his life or at work, talking about his kids always brought such joy and pride to his face. He really loved his children.
May 5, 2009
Mrs. Bolkcom:
We are very sorry for your loss. May God bring comfort and peace to you and your family and such a time of sorrow. He is the only source of comfort in such a time as this. Alexandra Marrero's family (From Meadowlarks)
bill bolkcom
May 5, 2009
thank you very much this is a rough one
Patty McDonald
May 5, 2009
I am so sorry to hear about Chris! He was an amazing person. Even back in high school he was one of my favorite people ever. He was unique, funny, smart and a good person. And the world is a better place for him being in it.
Ken Keeler
May 5, 2009
I just knew Chris from the gym and like most who knew him that way, I'm still expecting to see him in spinning class or on a treadmill. He would always leave spinning class about ten minutes early to jump rope in the adjoining room. More than once I noticed a few young girls almost fall off their bikes watching him jump rope. I knew he kept himself in perfect physical condition, but had no idea about how accomplished he was at his job. I think Chris' spirit will never leave the gym where those of us who knew him only from the gym, will remember him as we work-out. My prayers and thoughts are with his family, especially his children.
Jane Leggett
May 5, 2009
Yea, though I walk through the shadow of the Valley of Death, Thou art with me. May you feel God's comfort and Christopher's ever-present love.
M-J Oboroceanu
May 5, 2009
Dear Jessica and Max and family,
I cannot describe the shock and sadness I feel for losing Christopher, my CRS/FDT colleague. I cannot imagine the pain you are going through. Please know that your dad was much valued and respected and he will be truly missed.
My deepest condolences.
Dick Nanto
May 5, 2009
It is hard to imagine a world without Chris. He was one of a kind, truly accomplished, and always ready to lend a listening ear or helping hand. He was an inspiration to all of us, whether riding his motorcycle, testifying before Congress, or taking on special interests in the rough and tumble world of military aircraft procurement. Yet he always had a moment to chat. His passing leaves a large hole in our hearts, but we will treasure his memory and his writings will live forever in the archives of Congress. My deepest sympathy and condolences go out to his family. We miss Chris indeed.
Loretta and Steve Stoltz
May 5, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Showing 1 - 34 of 34 results
Make a Donation
in Christopher Bolkcom's name
People and places connected with Christopher
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Christopher's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Christopher Bolkcom's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored