Christiaan Harman Stevens

Christiaan Harman Stevens was born on November 9, 1945 in Enschede, The Netherlands and passed away peacefully on April 9, 2019 in Fulshear, Texas surrounded by his family. He was born to Herman and Grietje Stevens. Chris fought a long and arduous battle against cancer and beat the odds many times. He was a true warrior throughout and fought with passion and grace until his last breath. He met the love of his life, Gon, of more than 50 years at a marina in Deventer, The Netherlands in 1967 and they married on November 14, 1969. At an early age, Chris’ interest in sailing became an obsession. He found a calmness with being on the water and was the winner of the prestigious Sneekweek Sailing Regatta in 1964. Chris also had a passion for antique cars and horses, thanks to his loving wife. Chris studied economics and began a successful, life-long career in the chemical industry in The Netherlands. This business took Chris and Gon to South America and then to Texas in 1978 where they established their roots. From his garage in 1982, he started Syntech Chemicals, which continues to operate today. He was a self-made man with a thirst for learning, listening, and living. He was sympathetic to everyone and interested in everything. He is proceeded in death by his parents and is survived by his love, Gon. Chris leaves behind two sons, Christiaan Stevens and his wife Courtney, Mats Stevens and his wife Laura; three grandchildren, Christiaan Dean, Layton John and Amelia Ann; sister-in-law Trudy Verheijen and her children, Tom Spaans and Laura Spaans; and his beloved dog, Sailor. Chris was first and foremost a loving family man. He was an active man who revealed a zest for life by simply speaking a few words. Chris had a smile that would light up a room and a larger than life persona that was often the life of the party. He was the guy who prioritized everyone else’s fun before his own. He was admired for his selflessness and acted as such until the day he passed. Chris valued hard-work, family, respect, and fairness. He was caring, generous and kind-hearted. He had a positive influence on numerous people and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor and memory to MD Anderson Cancer Center.