CHRISTOPH, Albert Sidney "Kris"

Albert Sidney “Kris” Christoph died Friday, Nov. 10, at the Argyle Care Center in Denver. Christoph was 79 years old. He was born on Oct. 4, 1927, in Wellington, Texas. His parents were the late Lewis W. and Truly Pleasant (Rippetoe) Christoph. At the age of two, Christoph and his family moved to Manzanola where Christoph went to school, graduating from Manzanola High School. He then went to Coyne Electrical School in Chicago where he learned his lifelong trade. Shortly after he finished school, Christoph received his “invitation” to join the U.S. Army. Christoph served in both the Korean conflict and World War II. After receiving an honorable discharge, Christoph returned to Manzanola, and on June 6, 1953, married the former Clara Ann Burress. The couple lived for a while in Durango before moving to Leadville where Christoph went to work as an industrial electrician at the Climax Molybdenum Mine. Christoph worked for the mine for the next 25 years. After retiring from mining, Christoph became a seasonal worker for the U.S. Forest Service and continued working for it until he retired in 1999. For Leadvillites who remember the “T.V. Board,” it was Christoph who would trek up Mosquito Pass to repair the lines when they were down. Even in the winter, Christoph would strap on a pair of snowshoes and head up the pass. Christoph loved tinkering with things and getting things to work. He was fascinated with windmills, solar-energy systems and hydroponic gardening (gardening without soil). Christoph loved to sing and play guitar and comes from a family of musicians. Christoph was active with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union and was a member of both Mountain Crest Baptist Church and 1st Baptist Church in Leadville. Christoph was an avid reader of Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour, and he enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. Christoph was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Manning Christoph. He is survived by his wife in Leadville; four children, Cindy (Pat) Hawkins in Grand Junction, Karen (Stan) Henning in Leadville, Marsha (Chris) Watkins in Colorado Springs and Mark (Joan) Christoph in Arvada; and 11 grandchildren, Bonny (Shawn) Archuleta, Cheryl Hawkins, Denise (Will) Carlin, Holly and Tyler Henning, Rachel, Lewis and Andria Berndt, Andrew, Emily and Abby Christoph. Christoph is also survived by one great-grandson, Isaac Carlin. According to his wishes, Christoph was cremated. Memorial services will be Saturday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. at the Mountain Crest Baptist Church in Leadville. Pastor Rick Mitchell will officiate. Interment will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery with military honors by soldiers from Ft. Carson Army Base. Herald Democrat @2006