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August 14, 2003
Christopher R. Kedzie died Tuesday August 12th, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The cause of death was metastatic esophageal carcinoma. He was 43.
Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Chris was reared in Massachusetts and Michigan before graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. He received a Master's Degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Aeronautics and Astronautics and was a fighter jet pilot in training when diagnosed with metastatic osteosarcoma. Following numerous surgeries, the loss of one leg, and multiple experimental chemotherapy programs, he eventually defeated the disease and went on to earn a Master's degree from Harvard University and Master’s and Doctoral degrees from RAND Graduate School, all in the area of public policy. He taught at the United States Air Force Academy and at the International Management Institute in Kiev, Ukraine. He received numerous awards, grants and fellowships; traveled and worked in 30 countries; and directed international programs for Harvard, the Ford Foundation and the US Government. He also spoke fluent Russian, skied competitively, and bicycled from Canada to Mexico. He befriended throughout his life many people around the world who, along with his family, will forever remember his ceaseless curiosity, heartfelt laughter and unquenchable love of life.
Chris is survived by his wife Irina, his daughters Sasha (9) and Shawna (5), and his son Solan (1). He is also survived by his mother Joanne, sisters Jeannine and Claudia and their families. Chris was predeceased by his father Robert and sister Diana, and is survived by Diana’s family.
Current information about services and donations for the Kedzie family is available on the Chris Kedzie Memorial Web Site www.Chriskedzie.org or by calling Jim Cashel 707 939 9625.