Christopher Sean Simpson

Our beloved Chris (affectionally known as “Cheeks”), passed away at home in Monument, CO, after a brief but courageous fight against cancer. Preceded in death by his father, Gerald (Jerry) Simpson. Survived by his wife, Roxy, sons, Cullen and Kael and mother, Marilyn Montreux, many aunts, uncles and cousins and an immeasurable number of friends.

Born in Minneapolis/St. Paul to Jerry and Marilyn, Chris excelled, starting at a young age. A bright, inquisitive mind would propel him to stardom as an academic; a love of music and theater had him involved in school theater activities; and as a strong, capable, athlete, he would be recognized for his wrestling achievements. Chris’ bubbly, infectious laugh ensured that he wasn’t just popular but that he made lifelong friends with neighborhood kids and classmates.

Chris graduated from Mariner High School as an honor student and Valedictorian and entered the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in 1983. He graduated in 1987, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Research. Chris excelled at USAFA, repeatedly earning the coveted Superintendent’s Pin for military and academic excellence. Chris was incredibly fit; he worked out consistently and eventually could bench press more than twice his weight. Along the way, and most significantly, he continued to make many lifelong friends and memories. He never shied away from helping his fellow classmates during this time – he was part of a team and a brotherhood that looked out for each other.

Chris was a true patriot; he progressed to the rank of Captain and then continued his service to the Air Force and nation as a contractor and government civilian, serving at Hanscom AFB, USAFA, and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station as a civil engineer. He garnered numerous individual and team awards for innovative design and superb engineering project execution at all the installations he worked at. While at Hanscom, he also found time to earn a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Harvard University.

Chris enjoyed a special relationship with Jerry, his father, traveling to England, New Zealand, and all through Europe, along with numerous other adventures in his youth and adulthood. Together they attended dozens of Grateful Dead concerts, the two “Deadheads” always in one form of Dead garb or another. He and Jerry last saw the Dead & Co in Boulder, CO, in 2017.

Marilyn, his mother, instilled in Chris a lasting appreciation for the fine arts. Her musical talent was apparent in Chris, who loved to sing and play the violin. He appreciated music of all genres. From his uncles he inherited a love of the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.

Outside of family, Chris’s loves were the USAFA Falcons football and hockey, Minnesota Vikings and Corvettes. Fall Saturdays at the Simpson house meant blue and white USAFA t-shirts, and the TV tuned to the Falcons game. He never saw the Vikes win a Super Bowl but that didn’t stop him from cheering them, even (maybe especially) when living in Boston around all the Pats fans. As for Corvettes, he’s the proud owner of a ’64; nuff said.

He was a doting husband and father. Roxy and Chris met in 1996 and married in 2000, on Chris’s birthday. They had everything in common (except maybe Vikes vs Pats), enjoying each other, spending time with their kids and family and being with friends whenever possible. Chris was Cullen’s biggest fan on the ice, and Kael’s ice fishing and hunting partner. The love for hockey and willingness to open their home to all in need led Chris and Roxy to host many 15-24 year-old hockey players from various countries and states over a period of ten years. Some stayed for weeks, most stayed for months or years, all of them loved the Simpsons and will dearly miss Chris.

Chris was that rare person, a miracle really, who changed the lives of those lucky enough to know him. He did it through his innate goodness, willingness to help, and open heart to all. When you were with Chris, you were going to have fun; he would genuinely laugh at your jokes, listen to your story, regale you with a few stories of his own, and never judge. You were sure to leave his presence happy and fulfilled. And because of his magnetic personality, Chris was blessed with many friends; not five or ten, hundreds. No one who knew Chris called him an acquaintance; he was either a great friend or a best friend.

Chris fulfilled his motto of “living life to the fullest.” Hundreds of people will miss Chris every day for the rest of their lives, but we all feel blessed to have known him, and we are all better for it.

A public viewing will be held on Dec 26th, 3PM – 7PM at Swan-Law Funeral Directors (501 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Pikes Peak Brewing Company (1756 Lake Woodmoor Drive, Monument, CO, 80132) starting at 6PM on December 26th, 2019.

A Funeral Mass will be held on December 27th, 2019 at 1PM at the Air Force Community Center Chapel, 5134 Cathedral Dr, United States Air Force Academy. Burial will follow immediately after the Mass at the USAFA Cemetery. You will be required to show your driver’s license to access the base.