Christopher Theis Obituary (1945 – 2021) – Kansas City, MO

Christopher Coston Theis
October 7, 1945 – September 5, 2021
Kansas City, Missouri – Chris was born in New Orleans, the hometown of his mother. It was there during WWII where Catherine O’Donnell fell in love with the young pilot Willis Theis. Although Chris spent much of his life in the Midwest, that strong Louisiana connection remained with him forever.
When the family relocated to Kansas City, his father’s hometown, Chris attended Visitation School and Pembroke-Country Day (’63) before getting his B. Arch from Tulane (’68) and his M. S. Arch from Columbia the following year.
After six years of practicing architecture in New York City and Kansas City, Chris joined the Architecture faculty at KU in 1974 and was Director of the School from 1986-1988. While at KU, he was also a principal in the firm of Patterson Theis and Lee in Lawrence.
Chris left KU in 1988 to assume the Chair of the School of Architecture at LSU, where he taught until his retirement in 2010.
Chris devoted his career to teaching, helping others, and sustainable design. He was exceptional at all three. Among many honors, Chris was recognized as an ACSA Distinguished Professor of Architecture, one of only two LSU faculty members ever to be so honored. Chris was proud of his housing and planning work in 1976 at the Hopi Reservation. Nationally known for his advocacy of energy-conscious design, he was presented a National Passive Solar Design Award in 1980 and the Kansas AIA Award for Excellence in Architecture in 1987. His article on design strategies for saving energy in historic and vernacular buildings appeared in the book VITRUVIUS ON THE PLAINS.
In addition to architecture, Chris’s passions included food, music and fishing. He enjoyed preparing large Louisiana style feasts for his friends, and was a regular at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Chris loved fishing for redfish in the Gulf, bonefish in the Bahamas and trout in the Poudre River of Northern Colorado. He spent the last 20 summers building by hand a cabin perched on a ridge of the Poudre River Canyon. After his retirement to Kansas City, he also re-built a century old home in the Coleman Highlands neighborhood.
Chris has been married to Pamela Gilford since 2008. He was previously married to Robin Hunn. He was predeceased by his parents and two beloved Corgis, Mr. Binky and Miss Reba.
He leaves behind his wife Pam, stepson Finnegan Schall, brothers Stephen, Frank and Willis Jr., cousins John Kimball, Susi Lulaki, Resa Simoneaux, Jules Simoneaux Jr. and Peter Simoneaux, numerous nieces and nephews, his friend Victor Campbell, as well as a host of friends throughout the country.
Chris had a Southern graciousness, an infectious, devilish smile, and a keen, dry wit.
Chris died on September 5. He will be inurned at Forest Hills Cemetery. Some of his ashes will be also placed in the Poudre River below his cabin, where they will begin the long journey to New Orleans. A celebration of life will be announced later.
Suggested memorial donations to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc.