I was very shocked and saddened to learn of Chris’ recent passing.  We first met as freshmen at Santa Clara University in  the fall of 1979 and I was immediately struck by both his intelligence (only 17 at time) and that sly grin that I believe everyone knew well.  

Whether he recognized it or not, Chris was our unofficial leader among our friends, organizing our softball and flag football intramural teams, summer get-togethers, and annual post-college trips to Las Vegas.  These memories include watching the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana and the 49ers’ 1st and 2nd Super Bowl wins at the Bednar family home in Palo Alto.

As others have mentioned, Chris loved his sports -- his knowledge of records and statistics, especially baseball, was incomparable and he often appeared in a trance while watching games.  I remember his poring over daily box scores and attending an important San Francisco Giants doubleheader sweep against the first-place Cincinnati Reds with him.

We became roommates during our senior year and for a few years after college.  It was an honor when he asked me to stand as best man at his and Karen’s wedding at Mission Santa Clara in 1986.  I should mention that I met my wife of 32 years at one of his birthday celebrations during this time.  

When Chris and his family moved from the Bay Area to Colorado, our contact became less frequent; however, we had many discussions about the possibility of going to lunch or a Giants game when he visited California.  My regret is that never did happen.

Debbie and I send our condolences to Karen, his children Rachel and Kristen, and the rest of his family.  Rest in peace, dear friend.


RIP Chris Bednar ❤️. We went to Cubberley and then Santa Clara together, where I got to know him better. Always quiet, but engaged in everything, and always kind to, and liked by all. Gone too soon! My deepest condolences to Karen and his daughters.

Although I did not know Chris as well as some of the others here, he was nevertheless an important part of my extended Cubberley and Santa Clara University "families".  I remember him being exceptionally smart, with a quiet confidence in himself but without any trace of arrogance.  He was always kind, helpful and giving and I rarely saw him without his gentle, contented smile.  I am glad I knew him, and saddened by his passing.  My condolences to his family, and to everyone who was fortunate enough to call him "friend".

The Cubberley High School Class of 1979 sends its class condolences to Chris Bednar's family and friends on this sad occasion. He was one of us and a friend to all in the class who knew him.

As for me, I have many fond memories of Chris. Chris was a close friend throughout high school and beyond. 

Most remarkable memory of Chris was his desire, at fifteen or sixteen, to pursue a specific career -- public accounting. At that age I did not know what an accountant was let alone what I wanted to do when I grew up, but Chris knew and he did it. He studied accounting in college, joined a Big Eight firm, got his CPA and did it, happily, the rest of his too brief life. Most of us kick around before finding our life's work. Not Chris. Extraordinary self-knowledge and foresight.

Other fond memories are of Giants games, studying the Chronicle Sporting Green daily at the school library, driveway two-on-two basketball games (with brother Steve and Jim DiGenova), baseball in the park by Ortega Elementary School, marvelous debates about the relative merits of long forgotten athletes, ethnic and religious insults and our team triumph at the Millard Fillmore trivia contest, junior year, at Cubberley.

Such a pity when a good man dies too early. My heartfelt condolences to Chris' family and friends.

My earliest memory of Chris was when the Palo Alto Unified School District got religion just as we entered “Junior High School” in the seventh grade and (finally) allowed girls to take shop and boys to take Home Ec.  As I remember, Chris was a pioneer, one of the first, if not the only boy to take cooking, which he enjoyed.  This meant he was regularly assigned to bring his delicious miniature cheesecakes to any class parties.

For six years, I had many classes with him. We were in the geeky kids clique, and he was our go-to guy for anything sports trivia. We collaborated on multiple Trivia Bowls, and no Millard Fillmore Scavenger Hunt would be complete without him.  I’m pretty sure his family was kind enough to let us establish an overnight headquarters one weekend when all we did was call people long distance at all hours of the day and night to research obscure topics regarding non-sports questions. Chris was the quiet straight man, waiting for his cue to crack just the right joke because he was just that clever.

Chris gave a reading at our Baccalaureate from the pulpit of the Stanford Chapel, where I believe he recited Kipling’s, “If,” which describes the qualities of a man— of importance as we embarked on adulthood.  After high school, we were less in touch, in part because there was no social media; everything was still written, or more often not written or expensive long distance phone calls.  I remember meeting up with him as he was getting ready to graduate.  He was all set to marry Karen, as if this had been his plan all along, just as becoming a CPA seemed like a plan all along. In retrospect, it seems he was simply getting to the best parts of life earlier than everyone else, likely because he was smarter than everyone else.  

I will miss his steadfastness, his warmth, and his tremendous sense of humor. Chris pursued what he loved, and who he loved, with passion, and it seems we should all take a page from his playbook.  

We have many fond memories of golfing and game nights with the Bednar family when our families were much younger.  Chris was an amazing competitor!  I remember one game night we were so close to finally beating Karen and Chris at Trivia Pursuit.  They had a  final question in the challenging Arts & Literature category that we thought for sure stumped them, and then from out of nowhere Chris answered "Pygmalion".   Ugghh!  Of course that was correct and the Bednar's went on to win the game....again LOL!  Unfortunately time and distance separated us, but we always enjoyed the visits of the Bednar family when they were in town.  Love you Chris and RIP.  Bill & Terri

I was very sad to hear about your family's loss.  I had the pleasure of working with Chris at Spectranetics where Chris' kindness and wonderful sense of humor was very much appreciated.  I hope your family takes comfort in your memories of Chris.  You all have my sincere condolences.

Regards,

Mary Meredith

I met Chris freshman year at Santa Clara U.  He was a floor mate and in my orientation group.  Chris always had a sparkle in his eye and that signature grin.  I remember Chris tutoring classmates in Calculus, they were practically lined up down the hall.  Chris was good at sports and an all around great guy.  The picture is the  7th floor Swig group shot, Chris is the one with the bunny ears.  Haha.  I'm pretty sure I watched the 1981 Super Bowl (the Niners first!) and we jumped around on Ross Rd after the win!  I will always remember Chris as a great guy and good friend.  RIP.

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Chris J. Bednar

12 juin 1962 – 26 avril 2021

Mountain View Funeral & Cremation

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