Christopher Robert Tomkow

Christopher “Chris” Tomkow was born on December 24, 1950, in Henley-on-Thames, England, to Stanley and Jean Tomkow. In 1953, Chris immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island in New York alongside his family, joining his grandparents, Michael and Francesca, who had immigrated before them. He spent much of his childhood in New Jersey, where in 1959 he became a big brother when his sister, Barbara, was born. The family later moved together to Essex Junction, Vermont during Chris’s high school years.

Throughout his teenage years, Chris developed a lifelong love for sports and competition. He played both hockey and soccer and was known for his athleticism, energy, and outgoing personality. Hockey, especially, became a major part of his life — playing through high school and college and later coaching youth hockey during his college years. The friendships, stories, and memories from those years stayed with him throughout his life and reflected the adventurous and spirited person he was at his core.

Chris’s love for animals also began early in life. As a child, his favorite dog was Porky, a companion he adored deeply. During high school, Chris famously snuck home a black lab puppy named Saber and hid her in the basement until his father eventually discovered her after hearing her whining. Stories like these reflected Chris’s soft heart for animals, something that stayed with him throughout his life.

Chris enlisted in the United States military in 1971 after being drafted and proudly served his country until 1974. During his service, he spent 13 months stationed in Korea and was also temporarily stationed in Panama. While stationed at Fort Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts, he met the love of his life, Barbara Hagerman, in June of 1973. The two were married in Vermont on August 24, 1974, beginning a marriage that would span 51 years.

After spending two years in Vermont, Chris and Barbara made the journey west to Oregon, driving across Canada in just six days to avoid toll roads. They first settled in Milwaukie before later moving to Eugene after Chris received a promotion. Before becoming a father, Chris embraced life with a sense of adventure and curiosity. He enjoyed scuba diving, skiing, hunting, fishing, and traveling whenever he had the chance. In 1969, he famously hitchhiked to the original Woodstock music festival in New York — one of many stories that reflected his free spirit, adventurous nature, and love for life.

It was in Eugene that Chris and Barbara welcomed their first daughter, Catherine, in 1985. Shortly after, the family returned to Milwaukie, where they welcomed their second daughter, Tracy, in 1986, and later their youngest daughter, Francine, in 1992. Milwaukie remained home for the rest of Chris’s life.

Chris worked in business and finance throughout his career and was known for his outgoing personality, sense of humor, and ability to connect with just about anyone he met. He was often the life of the party, loved socializing with family and friends, and carried a contagious smile that people will never forget.

Throughout adulthood, animals continued to hold a special place in Chris’s heart. During their years in Eugene, he adored his husky Maui and his orange cat Rufus, affectionately nicknamed “Ruski Kotek.” When his daughters were young, the first dog Chris brought home was Maxamillion “Max,” followed later by two chocolate lab puppies gifted to him for Father’s Day, Bosco and Hershey, who quickly became beloved members of the family. Over the years, many pets became part of the Tomkow family, including Riley “Riles,” JJ “Blonde Bomber,” Lily, Brennan, Caroline “Schmitten Kitten,” Ruby “Peanut,” and Rory “Little Man,” along with many others who were deeply loved throughout the years. Chris became an incredible “fur papa” to every animal that came into the family’s life, and they seemed to love him just as deeply in return.

Above all else, Chris loved his family deeply. He was a proud “girl dad” to his three daughters and spent countless hours supporting them in the things they loved, including traveling for softball and soccer tournaments with Francine. Later in life, one of his greatest joys was becoming a grandfather to Scarlette and Jade Kester, lovingly nicknamed his “geebs.”

Chris was a devoted Boston Bruins and Red Sox fan and later became an enthusiastic Seahawks supporter. He will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality, adventurous spirit, unwavering love for his family, and the countless memories he created with those fortunate enough to know him.

Chris passed away peacefully at the age of 75, surrounded by the love of the family he cherished so deeply.