Christopher Topolski

Chris was born on November 12, 1951, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Leonard and Patricia Topolski. He was the eldest of six children in a warm and loving household. From a young age, he was known for his intelligence, calm nature, and steady character. He worked hard as a boy – delivering newspapers, working at the local grocery store, and at Burlington Northern Station. He was also an altar server at Saint John’s. He developed a lifelong passion for classic cars, owning several in his early years.

Chris served in the United States Air Force from 1972 to 1976, where he trained as a radar technician and achieved the rank of E-4 Staff Sergeant. His service included assignments at the 753rd Radar Squadron in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and the 705th Radar Squadron in King Salmon, Alaska. After completing his service, he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Omaha University and began a 45-year career in the high-tech data storage industry. He held engineering, technical, and managerial roles at several prominent companies, including Control Data, Maxtor, Seagate, DotHill, and Micron before retiring in 2023.

Chris and his family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, in 1993. He was a devoted husband, father, and community member. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sue Topolski; his children, Dan Topolski (Kristin Burns), Kristina Hudson, and Jeff Topolski (Peyton Collins); grand son, Jasper Burns-Topolski; and his five sisters, Cindy Chamberlain, Gayle Topolski, Mary Thomsen, Francie Munger, and Tracy Topolski Romey. He is also remembered with love by many friends, extended family members, and fellow parishioners.

A man of deep faith, Chris was an active member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. His decades-long involvement with the Knights of Columbus included leadership roles such as Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, District Deputy, and Advocate Member. His presence in the church was a source of quiet strength and unwavering service.

Chris had a deep and lasting passion for genealogy, dedicating himself to the detailed study and preservation of his family’s history. He kept meticulous records, uncovered long-lost photographs, and brought generations of stories to life for his loved ones. He also found joy in attending classic car shows, mentoring youth through Boy Scouts, and coaching his children’s soccer and baseball teams.

Chris will be remembered for his kindness, faith, humility, intelligence, quiet sense of humor, and unwavering devotion to his family and community.

A vigil will be held at Allnutt Chapel on Drake on Tuesday, May 27, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will follow at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 28, at 10:30 a.m. (Viewing at (9:30am and Rosary at 10:00am)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chris’s memory to Special Olympics Colorado, a cause close to his heart.