Suggested edit: Christopher James Ward June 22, 1937 - September 10, 2009 On September 10, 2009, Christopher Ward, husband, father, businessman, and community leader passed away at age 72 after a five year battle with cancer. Chris lived a vital and passionate life and will be remembered for his endless energy, his love of family, and his commitment to the church. He was preceded in death by his wife Gretchen, and is survived by his brother Michael, his three children Nicholas, Andrew, and Laura and eight grandchildren. Chris Ward grew up in Los Angeles and went to high school at Portsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1959 and received his MBA from the Claremont Graduate School in 1966. While at MIT, Chris met his wife, Gretchen Van de Kamp. Married in their early twenties, they shared a life-long passion for art, education and family. Chris was a devoted family man who respected and supported his children's varied interests. In 1960, Chris worked for Kaiser Steel as an Industrial Engineer in Fontana. In 1974, he relocated to Piedmont when he joined the finance department of Kaiser Steel where he became Treasurer. . Later Chris worked as a Treasurer for Bechtel, Hexcel, and then Guy F. Atkinson. Chris retired in 1994 and continued sharing his organizational knowledge, energy and interests as a member of the board of directors for several companies including: Qualimatrix and Lawry's Restaurants; College Preparatory School and the Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra. Chris was kind, honest, generous, optimistic, and always had a smile. He had a genuine interest in everyone, loved talking to people and sharing information. He was a devoted Catholic his entire life and supported many local parish communities and the building of the new Christ the Light Cathedral in Oakland. In the Cathedral, full of light and space, with God and his family and friends in attendance, all witnessed a grand send-off for Chris Ward by the cathedral choir and a lone resonating trumpet playing Amazing Grace. He will be missed by all. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA) via http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/448-nccra, or by mail at 1201 West 5th Street, Suite T-700, Los Angeles, CA 90017 "in memory of Christopher Ward".
thanks to Contributor: MMMGM