I just found out about Chris' passing.  Chris was my first teacher in my first class, Theology, at Rockhurst High School.  Famous for inverting his college ring and providing love taps of good Christian discipline, he was also one of the best teachers that I ever had.  He was truly inspiring.  On our graduation day in 1981, Chris announced that he was becoming a Jesuit.  He officiated Beth and my wedding, and when Beth was late asked if there was something he should know about.  Our condolences go out to his family.  He was much beloved and I know he is missed.
John Decker, RHS Class of '81

I just learned of Chris's passing. He was my Theology teacher at Rockhurst High School and the celebrant at my wedding. 

It's hard to overstate Fr. Pinne's impact on my life, though he may not have been fully aware of it. Years after my wedding, in a period of personal distress and uncertainty, I called Fr. Pinne. In his typical, loving and provocative manner, he mentioned a book that he said was "the only book I re-read every year." The book was "Awareness," by Fr. Anthony De Mello, S.J. That single conversation, and the book, changed my life. I now re-read "Awareness" at least 1x per year, and I am always thankful to Fr. Pinne with every reading.

I will continue to hold you in my prayers, Chris. I am a better person because of you. I hope you will continue to pray for me as you bask in the loving warmth of God's embrace.

Peace.

Dear Fr. Chris,

I’m thinking of you on what would have been your 71st birthday. Your gentle and steadfast presence during the most difficult times at SLU Law made all the difference. 

I miss our talks, and I will always remember you on your birthday and every time I’m at the law school chapel.

Thank you. RIP. 

—Rob Gatter

Father Pinne was a spiritual mentor for me during my undergraduate and medical school years at Saint Louis University. It is a rare and beautiful privilege to have such a person in your life who helps you to navigate challenges, loss, growth, and the journey of life. 

Father Pinne possessed great wisdom. Were it not for his steady guidance I would likely not be the person I am today. I am sad to hear of his loss but also know that he lived a full life that we should all strive to emulate. What is life about if not to help others become the best versions of themselves, to lead them closer to the Divine, so that they can rest in solace at the end of their own lives?


“There is nothing you can do to keep God from loving you.”
- Fr. Pinne

Few men in my life have been as impactful as Fr Pinne.  Fr Chris reprimanded, guided, and encouraged all with the same level of expectation as if I was own of his own, which at DeSmet, we were.  In '89, at 17, I found myself alone and petrified at the reality of becoming a father.  Chris knew even before my parents and put me on a path that laid the groundwork for my daughter and me.  Today, she is thriving, successful, married and mother of 2, making me the proud grandpa.  God bless, you, my friend, Chris!

Father Pinne was a beautiful example of “ A man for others”. He had a very generous and forgiving spirit that enabled him to serve the Lord in many capacities in spite of his own limitations. Thank you. RIP. AMDG!

Fr. Chris Pinne was an old friend. We were fraternity brothers in Tau Kappa Epsilon at Rockhurst University in the early 70's. I was happy to hear that he had decided to join the Jesuits a few years later. Whatever came along in life, Chris accepted things as they were, then moved along to whatever was next without complaining. He was a credit to his family and to the Jesuit community. I always admired Chris, and am saddened to hear that he has passed away. I will miss him.

Tom Simon


Fr. Chris and I were the best of friends in the seminary.  I left to find my own path in 1968 and lost contact with Chris until the summer of 2016 when I found him through a friend at Rockhurst College.  We met for a few hours in his room one day and the spark of friendship was ignited again.  I visited him a few times and in our meetings I learned that he loved cashews.  He was always very complimentary of his caretakers and I started that Christmas of putting together a box of "goodies" for him to share at the hall Christmas Party.  A huge box of nuts of various kinds so everyone at their Christmas party would know someone cared for them.  He would call me and thank me and I just loved the times I had talking to my friend.  I knew he had specific nursing care and I sent them Povitica Bread each year and Fr Chris would tell me how much they enjoyed their special treat.  I  am heartbroken for his family to lose such a special person, a dedicated person, a holy person.  I will pray now asking  Fr Chris to help them and me in our lives from his special place in heaven where he is not bound in a chair anymore.  God Bless Fr Chris and the Pinne family.

Rest in Peace, Fr. Pinne. We were better thanks to your leadership, guidance and grace; even if we (I) didn’t appreciate it at the time or in the moment. The visits to your office at DeSmet Jesuit High were tough because we knew you were right and we (I) had strayed off path and was wrong. Thank you for setting us (me) on a better path. 

Words cannot express the depths of sorrow I have that Fr. Pinne is no longer with us to share his knowledge and be an example to additional generations of men and women on their own faith formations. 

From the first moment of meeting Fr. Pinne, you were charmed by his smile and willingness to know you on a personal level. He had an ultimate commitment to each person he came in contact with, checking in regularly with an amiable warmth that was genuine and extremely rare. While his kindness meant having difficult conversations in an honest and forthright way, never did you have a sense it came from a place other than devotion to you as a person. 

His guidance was unmatched, his ability to connect was unparalleled, and his faithfulness to God through his actions and works undoubtedly formed many a person to who they are today - I know it did for me. There are select few people I would hope are proud of who I've become as a person, and Fr. Pinne is on that list.

I'll miss you, my friend. May God grant you eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon you.

AJ Kinsella, RHS '01

What a special man.   A few personal memories of Chris.  When I returned to De Smet Jesuit High School as a sophomore in 1984, I saw then novitiate Mr. Pinne and said to him, "Mr. Pinne, you have grown a beard."  Mr. Pinne quickly shot back, "Conrad, you have grown a foot!"  

Chris was always available to talk to us as students.  He was direct, often saying what needed to be said, even if it wasn't what we wanted to hear (but needed to hear) as young men.    He often used his great sense of humor to drive home a point.

Later in life, Chris agreed to celebrate the baptism of our two youngest children at the Boian Chapel on De Smet's campus.  A few years on, Chris was working at Rockhurst High in Kansas City.   My uncle was killed suddenly in an auto accident and his children found themselves largely alone.  I called Chris, who dropped everything to drive and be with my cousins for support until we could arrive late that evening. 

Chris was dearly loved by all he touched.  God speed friend.

Conrad Deneault '87 

We were blessed to have Fr. Pinne as our Manresa moderator and met with him at Jesuit Hall. We particularly liked his work with the poor on Grand Ave. He will be missed. 
Dick Bugg

OBITUARY

Rev. Christopher P. Pinne, S.J.

May 27, 1952 – April 14, 2023

Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services