Christopher Klein OBITUARY

Christopher Klein OBITUARY

They say no two people are alike, and Christopher Klein exemplified that statement. He truly beat to his own drum, standing out with his dry wit, notable intelligence, remarkable ethics, and understated compassion for others. Chris passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 31, 2025, at age 54, near his city of residence for nearly three decades, Denver, Colorado. He was born in Sterling, Colorado, but spent the lion’s share of his childhood in Greeley, Colorado. As a child, he became fascinated with stadiums and design and knew from about age eight that he wanted to be an architect when he grew up.

Chris attended the University of Virginia School of Architecture for his undergraduate degree, where he formed lifelong friendships with a wonderful group of people connected through the McGuffey dorms. These days, they affectionately refer to their tight-knit crew as the McGuffey Faithful — an apt name, as proven by how they showed up for Chris decades later. After graduating from UVA, Chris earned a Master of Architecture from Columbia University in New York City.

Chris was a Senior Associate Architect at Davis Partnership in Denver, where he worked for over 27 years. Throughout his career, he was deeply engaged in numerous medical and research facility projects across Denver and beyond. He was an expert in healthcare design, contributing at every stage — from initial programming through design and construction administration. His hands-on approach and diverse expertise allowed him to bridge user needs with complex building systems seamlessly. Chris excelled at crafting innovative designs, mentoring colleagues, and skillfully coordinating design teams while collaborating with construction managers on intricate healthcare projects. One of his fondest and most dedicated projects was Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, Colorado.

Chris was a quiet soul, with a notably high intellect and deadpan wit. His clever, offhanded comments could put folks in stitches or leave them puzzled, but either way, his sense of humor was something to behold. He was a genuinely kind and humble person who, heartbreakingly, seemed to encounter more than his fair share of mishaps — though he seemed to take them in stride. He was dedicated to many activities and pastimes, including beekeeping, trivia, symphonies and operas, and the Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche, and Broncos sports teams. He played on intramural volleyball and softball teams, volunteered for Denver Digs Trees, served as president of the UVA Club of Colorado, and was a board member for his HOA. He was a devoted son, caring for both of his parents for over 15 years as they faced separate illnesses. Sadly, he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2022 and endured treatment complications that ultimately brought his life to a close. Yet his wit shone through until the very end.

Chris is survived by his sister, Anne Klein; her husband, Brian Schmitt; and their two children, Alden and Everett, of Sacramento, CA; as well as many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. One of his closest and most loyal friends and colleagues, Paul Garland, supported him through many milestones, including his diagnosis and illness. Chris was preceded in death by his beloved dad, Roger, whom he deeply respected, and his dear mom, Emi, with whom he shared an especially close bond.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Denver Digs Trees or the UVA Club of Colorado. A service to celebrate Chris’s life will be held at a later date.