Christopher Everett Recktenwall

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 Wa...[more]

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s 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.