Christopher Joseph Szikszoy

Our beloved Chris passed peacefully in his sleep on March 26, 2022.

 

Chris was born in Concord, CA on February 2, 1985 and attended primary school in Seattle. The family moved to Pasadena, and Chris graduated from La Salle High School before matriculating at Cal Poly Pomona where he graduated with dual BS degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. 

 

His career carried him across the country and around the world. Each assignment became an opportunity to connect with his vast network of family and old friends, and to meet new ones along the way. He was a brilliant engineer, trusted colleague and mentor. He was a seasoned world traveler outside of work, often referred to as a "citizen of the world." He spoke fluent German and had a natural curiosity for other cultures.

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Chris had a love for life and connection through family, friends, travel, food, knowledge and experience. He made it all look easy with his generous and kind spirit, and warm gentle smile.  This is particularly true with his relationships.  He created sparks of connection everywhere he went, checked in frequently and expressed love freely, and went out of his way to bring whole communities of people he loved together.  He was the glue in his extended family and circle of friends, checking in with far-flung members, frequently planning get-togethers, organizing events including a yearly Friendsgiving that spanned almost two decades; he simply would show up, being there during good times and the hard times too.

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Everyone was always included with Chris and he saw the best in people. He was too modest to recognize that he was the center of many social constructs. Perceptive, generous and above all, kind, Chris could see a need and meet it. Whether it was a boost in confidence, a hug, a present listener or a kind word, a shoulder to cry on, or simply a lunch partner. He would give gifts and his time generously and thoughtfully, always thinking of others and what they needed. His easygoing generosity, kindness, and modesty while fulfilling a heavy, essential role to so many people was quintessential Chris.

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His legendary trip-planning skills, backed by rigorous research, made him an indispensable asset on countless trips with friends and family. Incredible, sumptuous meals were the highlight of these itineraries, and as a prodigious gastronome, he was famous for being the first to try any unique and adventurous food. Sharing a meal with Chris meant trying a new flavor, learning something interesting about the cuisine, sharing an obscure varietal of wine, and walking away with a belly full and sore cheeks from laughing along with his quick wit and clever banter. 

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Chris loved international culture, with special pride for his dual Hungarian and U.S. citizenship - through his paternal grandfather - and the Lebanese & Mexican backgrounds of his fiancée, Jessica. Recently engaged to be married, Chris and Jessica planned to tie the knot and were house shopping in Southern California in early 2022, thrilled to start a family together. The whole family eagerly awaited this celebration of their love.

 

Extraordinary in every sense of the word, Chris was struck down in the prime of his life and will be missed and remembered by many, for years to come. He is survived with great love by his parents Joseph and Veronica, his brother Benjamin, and fiancée, Jessica.