In Memory of Christopher Kirsch

Christopher Kirsch, a UVU professor in geography and Latin American history, was killed on Father’s day by a fatal stabbing by his son.

A few of his colleagues shared their thoughts with The UVU Review about Chris and his time at UVU.

Chris Kirsch was a happy intellectual who was always quick to engage both colleagues and students in wide-ranging conversations. Always one of the first of us to get to work in the morning, Chris was always on hand to greet us with a joyful ?good morning,? and then to explore everything from the latest news to stories from whatever history we happen to be interested in. We are all richer for having known him.

David R. Wilson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of History and American Indian Studies
Department of History and Political Science

I was the department chair from the time Chris Kirsch started at UVSC until the end of last semester — I’m on sabbatical and out of state right now. Like everyone else, I was stunned to hear of Chris’s death. Chris was a proud family man, and he spoke at times about his son in the Marines fighting in Iraq.
He mostly taught geography, but he was also glad to take on Latin American history. His years of business experience in South and Central America gave him a very down-to-earth perspective that informed his teaching (both in geography and history); I believe his students really appreciated the real life rather than a theoretical approach to these subjects.
Chris was constantly revising his classes. He used a lot of technology and was experimenting with real-time student surveys (and on the spot quizzes), the results of which could be projected on the front screen during classroom discussions.
Between his class periods, Chris was a fixture around the department office, joking around in an understated way with everyone who passed through. He was exceptionally knowledgeable and accomplished, but unassuming and easy to work with. I can’t put into words how much I’ll miss his friendship and collegiality when I return to campus — it won’t be the same place.

Keith Snedegar
Professor of History

Chris was a friend and I will miss him. He was also a good teacher. He cared for his students, and spent considerable time putting together his lectures. When students didnít do well on an exam, he was concerned about the student. He cared for his classes. He was proud of his family. In all respects he was a gentleman and scholar.

Alex Stecker
History & Political Science