Christopher "Christoph" Novak

Christopher "Christoph" Novak left us on August 4, 2025. Born on July 28, 1972, Christoph lived a vibrant life filled with the warmth of his family, the thrill of creation, and the joy of a well-cooked meal shared with family and friends. Christoph is survived by a troupe of loved ones who were his biggest fans: his wife, Kim Novak, who was his partner in both life's adventures and home remodeling projects; his children, Keira and Kohner, who inherited their dad's wit and knack for mischief; his mother, Connie Novak, his "Mama Bear" who taught him to care for family; his father, John Novak, who passed down the love of tinkering; and his sisters, Amanda Miller and Alison Novak, who could always count on him to bring the fun to family gatherings. A proud graduate of the University of Iowa, Christoph earned not one but two bachelor's degrees, which he jokingly claimed made him "twice as smart as the average bear." His brilliance shone brightly in his work as a talented software architect, where he was known for solving problems that hadn't even been discovered yet. But Christoph's true passion lay in the simple pleasures of life. Whether he was cooking for family and friends, playing games and watching movies with his kids, or driving his tractor, he did it all with enthusiasm and a twinkle in his eye. Christoph could also be found researching how to work on his tractor, remodel a bathroom, or fix the latest broken thing; he was convinced that there was always the right tool for the job. As we bid farewell to Christoph, we remember a life lived in full color, with humor as its brightest hue. He left this world as he lived in it: with a joke on his lips and love in his heart. Though his physical presence is no longer with us, the echoes of his love will continue to resonate in the memories of all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Rest in peace, dear Christoph; your punchlines will never be forgotten. We will be gathering to celebrate Christoph's life on Sunday, August 31. For details, please send an email to celebration08.31@gmail.com. In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Greater Chicago Food Depository or your favorite deserving organization.