Christopher Robert Elliott

September 12, 2022

SAN DIEGO, CA — Christopher Elliott of San Diego passed away after a nine-month battle with neuroendocrine carcinoma on September 12, 2022. He was 64. He leaves behind his wife, Cindy Jenson-elliott and sons Ronan and Edward, his mother, Gay and brother, Ralph (Mary), a niece and nephews, countless friends, admirers, and colleagues.

Chris Elliott was born in Siler City, NC, the son of a second-generation Baptist preacher and his homemaker wife. The family moved frequently, and Chris went on to graduate from the University of Illinois, Champaign-urbana, with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering in 1981.

Chris was inventive from an early age, and favorite memories included boiling bones and reconstructing the skeletons of road-killed animals, and teaching himself to weld in his family basement while his unaware family lounged above. He developed a deep interest for early computers, spending hours as a teen in the U of I computer labs exploring a new world. He was the

consummate problem solver. After graduation, Chris rode his motorcycle out to San Diego to work at Linkabit. Over the years, Chris worked for GD Laser Systems, Novatrix, Nuvasive, and Volcano/ Philips.

In 1981, Chris began lifelong studies of art as an oil painter, and Zen Buddhism at the Zen Center of San Diego (ZCSD). At ZCSD, he met his wife, and the two were wed in 1993 and started a family. Chris was an incredibly engaged father, taking the family hiking, camping, climbing, skiing, skating, archery, golf, to museums, theater, comic arts and literature, music, and outings to the beach, mountains and urban areas. After family, art was the most important aspect of his life. Chris always made time to paint, both in his studio and plein air landscapes of a changing San Diego.

Chris was an active volunteer, spending years as a youth soccer coach for Mesa Soccer and as the theater tech director for Center Stage Children’s Theater of Mission Hills, working with children to design and paint sets, build props, lighting and sound systems.

Chris did not want to leave his creative and inventive life or family behind. In the end, his death was peaceful and natural, surrounded by the family who loved him so much. A celebration of his life and a showing of his art will be held in December.

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