Chris is preceded in death by his parents Hans and Lieselotte “Lilo” Cronenberg. Chris is survived by two brothers Stephan (Marcy) of Mesa, Arizona, and Thomas (Llywelyn) of Berlin, Germany; son Marc (Jenni), daughter Libby (Scott), and son Joel, all in greater Phoenix area. Chris was “Opa” to five grandchildren (Jake, Heidi, Everett, Adalynn, and Ella). Chris is also survived by nephew Adam (Shelley) and niece Katy (Cameron) and their children.
Chris was the second of son of Hans and Lilo Cronenberg, who emigrated from Berlin, Germany, to the U.S. in 1955. His father Hans worked with Lufthansa Airlines for decades, originally based in New York and later in Chicago. While growing up, Chris and his brothers spoke only German until they started elementary school, so English is technically their second language. Chris and his siblings and mother spent almost every summer in Berlin, staying with their grandmother and visiting with the German relatives throughout their childhood and teenage years. Chris maintained his ability to understand and speak German throughout his life, and he was proud of his German heritage.
After graduating from Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois, Chris joined the Marines and served for three years, with tours of duty in Oceanside, California and Okinawa, Japan. Chris truly loved being in the Marines. After leaving the Marines, he and his then-wife Christina moved to Mesa, Arizona, to live close to his brother Steph’s family. As Chris’ family grew, his children and their cousins spent a lot of time together and grew to be very close, as they all grew up together. After Chris’ parents retired, “Oma & Opa” Cronenberg also moved to Mesa to live nearby the family.
Chris was handy and enjoyed working on cars and family home remodeling projects with his brother Stephan.
Chris turned his military supply chain experience into his civilian career and has worked for various companies in the Valley in supply chain roles, starting with AirResearch/Garrett and most recently with Forever Living.
Christoph will be laid to rest with military honors in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in early February, with the date still to be determined.
A celebration of life for Christoph will be held Friday, January 28, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 South Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona 85202.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakeshoreMort.com for the Cronenberg family.
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