"We are very saddened for your loss. Your friends at First Baptist Athletics are keeping Michael and Family in prayers through the holiday season. Steven Carr"
In loving memory of
Christopher Everett Recktenwall
May 4, 1979 - December 10, 2017
The hearts of many family members and friends were broken when they learned of the passing of Christopher Everett Recktenwall due to a car accident on Sunday, December 10, 2017. Chris was born May 4, 1979 and was highly accomplished during his 38 years. He graduated from Lawrence Central High School with Academic Honors in 1998 and from Purdue University (West Lafayette) in 2003. He is survived by his son Michael Thomas Recktenwall, parents Tom and Roberta Recktenwall of Zionsville, sister Carrie, brother-in-law Ted Hovermale, nephew Leo Hovermale, niece Zoe Hovermale of Lafayette, and many aunts, uncles and cousins some of whom are relatives and some who began as friends. He had a very special bond with his Uncle Vic, Aunt Jewell and Cousin Wes Sheldon.
While in high school, Chris spent a summer in Spain through the Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Language. He spent his last semester of Purdue studying at the University of Essex in England and then traveling in Europe with his cousin, Wes.
Chris also loved going to Camp Tecumseh and several Boy Scout camps including Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and canoeing with his dad through the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed traveling with his sister and parents to several National Parks including Rocky Mountain, Zion, Bryce, Glacier, to Banff in Alberta, to the Outer Banks, Savannah, Florida, Gulf Shores in Alabama but his favorite summer vacations were probably spent on the beach at Pentwater, Michigan.
While in school, he excelled in science and math, but Chris also liked studying art, reading books on numerous subjects, playing golf, fly-fishing, painting, listening to music and playing the guitar.
Spirituality was important to Chris and he made and kept many friends from Fairway at Purdue. Chris was quiet and unassuming, yet he genuinely celebrated the joy of others. He was very caring about the emotional health of others and had a positive outlook regardless of his own situation.
To Chris, the most treasured thing in his life was his relationship with his son, Michael. He cherished the time they spent together doing the things that Michael loved. He was very proud of Michael and loved him with all his heart.
Should family and friends desire, contributions in Christopher's memory may be made at any Chase bank to the Michael Thomas Recktenwall Scholarship account.
Tributes
"Chris was my "big brother" when I was pledging Fairway Cooperative at Purdue. Having been the eldest child in my family, I always wondered what it would be like to have an older sibling. Chris was more than just the assigned big brother to me while I was at Fairway, he really was like an older brother. He was supportive and caring, building me up when I was feeling like I wasn't fitting in; he was funny and able to impart wisdom; and he always seemed to have time for me. He even tried to help me with my jump shot, which, alas, didn't take. As time grew on, when the differences in age become less apparent outside of the college context, I counted him as a true friend and peer, but I always viewed him within the lens of a big brother. I'm glad I got to spend time with him this summer to catch up. Even in the midst of sadness, I celebrate his life and the impact he had on mine."
"We are so sorry...Chris was my very first trick or treater on Wyman Ct...he told me his good friend had moved from our house...we love you all...Doris and Greg"
"My first memory of Chris was in July of 1999, when we met in West Lafayette to talk about how we would be rooming together at Fairway in the fall. I remember being very nervous to meet my first roommate. Chris proved to be such a welcoming and caring friend starting from day one. He was of course a sophomore, so he knew the drill, and he and our other roommate Ben immediately became fast friends in Room 200. We shared so many laughs in that first year, and Chris always put up with my "freshman" ways. A couple things that always stuck out about Chris were his patience and his genuine heart for his friends. He was always willing to give of himself, expecting nothing in return. We were blessed to have a friend like that. Greater love has no man than that he lay down his life for his friends. Chris exemplified that."
"We are so sorry for your loss. Thinking about all of you! Emo and Mitzie Moser"