Obituary of Christopher Karl Graeff

Christopher Karl Graeff, architect, pilot, humanitarian and visionary was born July 4th, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio and died on January 20th, 2011 in Portland, Oregon. When he was 14 years of age Chris’s father died, and the young man took on extra responsibilities. He entered New York State University in Buffalo, NY majoring in Pre-med, but his vision changed to architecture—in 1967 he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Syracuse University. He went on to receive his Master’s degree in Community Planning from Syracuse and did post-graduate work at Carnegie Melon University, where he was co-founder in 1968 of ‘Architecture 2001.’ He taught at Pima College beginning in 1970 and was coördinator of the art program at the Tucson, Arizona campus in 1974. He was Assistant Professor of Architecture at Portland State University from 1974 to 1982—during that time he worked for Noel Edelman, Interior Designers. For several years Chris lived in a dome in the woods near Sheridan, Oregon that he had designed and built with others. A pioneer in design for Elder Health Care and Assisted Living Facilities in Alaska, he was the architect and project superintendent for the Mary Conrad Center in Anchorage. This was a Sisters of Providence, 90-bed skilled nursing facility that opened in 1987. He also designed the Robert W. Rude Senior Housing Project near Anchorage for the Alaska Native Corporation. Chris was also the CEO of Alder Group in Portland, OR and Development Strategies, LLC and Gatekeeper, LLC. He is survived by his brothers Ronald Graeff of Oswego, New York and Geoffrey Graeff of Liverpool, New York, and by his sister Valerie Chasin of Framingham, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his companion Carol O’Gara of Aurora, Oregon. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14th, 2011 at Hex Hall, the Ralph Turner residence which Chris designed at 14320 SW Rock Creek Road, Sheridan, Oregon. Casual dress is recommended. Chris inspired everyone with his raw courage and steadfast determination to survive cancer. He had a listening ear, a big heart and a vibrant intellect full of forward-thinking solutions to living life productively and gracefully. He will be remembered with affection and respect. Arrangements by Crown Memorial Center - Tualatin.