Harold “Chris” Chriswell

4/3/1911 – 10/19/2010
Celebration of Life: Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 11 AM at Westford Funeral Home.
Reception: Following across the street at Westford’s Broadway Hall.
Legendary U.S. Forester
Chris Chriswell, who worked for 37 years for the U.S. Forest Service, died October 19, 2010. He was 99 years young, and was proud to have been retired longer than he had worked.  Chris was born in Buffalo, NY to John F. and Della Chriswell.  He attended Ashland Normal School in Ashland, Oregon and graduated from the University of Washington in 1935 with a degree of Science in Forestry. He began his career in forestry during college when he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Chris held many positions in the U.S. Forest Service throughout Oregon and Washington.  While working at the Winthrop Ranger Station he met his future wife, Iris Rakestraw. As Forest Supervisor of the Mt. Baker National Forest, he transferred much of the forest to the North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake Recreation Area. He was also instrumental in developing the North Cascades Highway.  Chris retired in 1971, bought a sailboat which he sailed to Alaska and explored the Pacific Coast for 16 years. Chris was an avid skier, mountain climber, amateur botanist and photographer. He was a member of the Bellingham Yacht Club, the American Foresters, the Northwest Forest Service Association, the Anacortes T.G.I.F Club, and the Arne Hanna “Pool Pals” Swim Club.
Chris was preceded in death by his wife Iris in 1993. He is survived by son Larry (wife Pat) Chriswell of Houston, TX, daughter Bonnie (husband Del) Johnson of Burlington, WA, 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Chris is also survived by his loving friend Sue Lindsay and her family of Bellingham.
Memorials may be made to the Bellingham Senior Center, 315 Halleck St., Bellingham, WA, 98225.
A Celebration of Chris’ Life will be held at Westford Funeral Home on Saturday, October 23rd at 11 AM, followed by a reception at Westford’s Broadway Hall.