Ok, Chris was a character and I am surprised not anyone has commented yet on his page. My most vivid memory of Chris was the Saturday morning of the SAT test. He and I had both spent the night before in the Emergency room. I was there for a cheerleading trampoline injury and he because he had punched a hole in the wall following the football game and injured his hand, at least that was what he told me. We were both on drugs during the test, me on valium and he on some type of pain killer. We were sure we had blown the test and would never get into college. (But maybe drugs helped because we both did fine).
With Chris I was never quite sure if he was putting me on--I didn't want to disregard what he was saying on the off chance he was serious; but ,on the other hand, I didn't want to completely believe him either for fear of appearing the fool. Nonetheless, I always enjoyed talking to him and hearing his unique view of the world.
Chris was so multi-faceted and talented. One day he was giving a hilarious pro wrestling demonstration, another day playing blues guitar on stage. He would stroll around with such confidence but at times showed his vulnerability. He was fun-loving, mischievous, and brilliant. A wonderful guy who left us way too soon.
I will never forget Chris, Alec Ireland, Phil Lake and Dave Shellenerger as the three(????) Kings of the Orient in our church play. Chris was the only one that could sing. It is a great and funny memory. Being with them at church and in junior high and high school was a great experience. Chris was a great football player and a better wrestler and an even better tenor. Miss you.
Chris was everything the prior posts say. We had a lot of laughs in German class driving our teachers nuts! Speaking of musical talent, when we were sophomores, Chris sold me his electric bass guitar and amp for virtually nothing. While these are long-gone, I still play bass to this day!
All true - and most importantly, he had a great brain and generous heart - I remember sitting with him in the food court at Maplewood Mall, drinking coffee (or something) and talking about the twists and turns of post-gradualtion life - he always lent a willing ear, compassionate observation and intelligent wit - one of those people we were all lucky to have known, and hopefully not under-appreciated when we did.
Chris Berndt, I remember him well. He was as others have recalled, a mix of swagger, compassion, and a bit of a rascal. After our 10th reunion, he asked me to call him about some insurance matters. I helped him and we would spend time talking about these important matters. With a sense a saddness I remember walking with him as he battled the Parkinson disease. It was hard to watch this vibrant young man, in his early 30's lose the control of his limbs, etc.. I was honored to know him, and humbled by the strength he showed me and the care he gave to his family. Chris, miss you.
Megan Korfhage (Ricke)
Ok, Chris was a character and I am surprised not anyone has commented yet on his page. My most vivid memory of Chris was the Saturday morning of the SAT test. He and I had both spent the night before in the Emergency room. I was there for a cheerleading trampoline injury and he because he had punched a hole in the wall following the football game and injured his hand, at least that was what he told me. We were both on drugs during the test, me on valium and he on some type of pain killer. We were sure we had blown the test and would never get into college. (But maybe drugs helped because we both did fine).
With Chris I was never quite sure if he was putting me on--I didn't want to disregard what he was saying on the off chance he was serious; but ,on the other hand, I didn't want to completely believe him either for fear of appearing the fool. Nonetheless, I always enjoyed talking to him and hearing his unique view of the world.
Steve Kimball (Kimball)
Chris was so multi-faceted and talented. One day he was giving a hilarious pro wrestling demonstration, another day playing blues guitar on stage. He would stroll around with such confidence but at times showed his vulnerability. He was fun-loving, mischievous, and brilliant. A wonderful guy who left us way too soon.
Eunice Lundgren (Cote)
I will never forget Chris, Alec Ireland, Phil Lake and Dave Shellenerger as the three(????) Kings of the Orient in our church play. Chris was the only one that could sing. It is a great and funny memory. Being with them at church and in junior high and high school was a great experience. Chris was a great football player and a better wrestler and an even better tenor. Miss you.
Kent Vilendrer
A head of hair that was genetically engineered for a bowl cut.
A chin like a chisel, that when strategically pressed between the shoulder blades of his wrestling sparring partners rendered them helpless.
When he and Steve Ratte wrestled one another it was like watching an Ali-Frazer match. Lots of testosterone.
An extreme competitor with a lot of injuries to prove it.
He walked with a swagger that was well earned.
Sang like an angel, bellowed like a foghorn.
A gifted pianist, guitarist, harmonica player, he was probably adept with a half dozen more musical instruments.
A gifted attorney, he was told by his high school counselor he wasn’t cut out for college. This provided him with plenty of motivation to succeed.
A philosopher he was usually irked with my simplistic outlook on life.
A short guy with tall tales I tricked him once with one of my own. He didn’t talk to me for days.
A first-born responsible nature that he often tried to belie with his rebel behavior.
He was good guy. I think about him often.
John M. Lane
Chris was everything the prior posts say. We had a lot of laughs in German class driving our teachers nuts! Speaking of musical talent, when we were sophomores, Chris sold me his electric bass guitar and amp for virtually nothing. While these are long-gone, I still play bass to this day!
"El Lano"
Jean Remus (Arndt)
All true - and most importantly, he had a great brain and generous heart - I remember sitting with him in the food court at Maplewood Mall, drinking coffee (or something) and talking about the twists and turns of post-gradualtion life - he always lent a willing ear, compassionate observation and intelligent wit - one of those people we were all lucky to have known, and hopefully not under-appreciated when we did.
Charles Prokop
Chris Berndt, I remember him well. He was as others have recalled, a mix of swagger, compassion, and a bit of a rascal. After our 10th reunion, he asked me to call him about some insurance matters. I helped him and we would spend time talking about these important matters. With a sense a saddness I remember walking with him as he battled the Parkinson disease. It was hard to watch this vibrant young man, in his early 30's lose the control of his limbs, etc.. I was honored to know him, and humbled by the strength he showed me and the care he gave to his family. Chris, miss you.
Chuck Prokop