Christopher C. Pazder, 55, formerly of Lorain, Ohio, and since 1976, a resident of Helena, died Aug. 9, 2008, from injuries received in a mountain climbing accident in the Great Teton Mountains of Wyoming.

Chris was born Sept. 14, 1952, in Lorain, graduated from Lorain High School in 1971, received a BA from Miami University in 1975, and his master's degree in social work in 1991, from Smith College in Northampton, Mass.

Chris moved to Montana in 1976, and started his private practice in Bozeman, West Yellowstone and finally at the Family Psychotherapy Center in Helena.

Chris is survived by his lovely wife, Nancy Pinzon of Helena; his father, Richard L. Pazder, and his mother, Roberta P. Pazder, both of Lorain; three brothers, Richard of Fort Mill, S.C., Martin of Huron, Ohio, and Jeffery of Lorain; numerous cousins and nephews; and his Colombian family, especially his mother-in-law, Mimi Acevedo.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Robert C. and Roma F. Pinkerton of Grosse Ile, Mich., and his paternal grandparents, Martin and Marie Pazder of Lorain, and very recently, his beloved dog, Riley.

Chris was an avid outdoorsman and had long been active in a wide range of outdoor activities, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, sailing, motorcycling and tennis. He was an active member of the Last Chance Tennis Association, Yacht Basin Club, BMW Motorcycle Owners of America, Smith College alumni and diverse social work organizations. Chris was also extremely interested and was a supporter of the arts at the community, national and international level. He was fascinated and had great interest in other cultures and had traveled extensively.

Chris met Nancy Pinzon Acevedo, a native of Colombia, at the Tennis Center in Helena in May 2002, and married her in Dec 9, 2006. He was a passionate man in love with life and everything he did. Chris was deeply in love with his wife, and had a large circle of close friends.

Chris had the special ability to reach and relate to youth and children in his private practice, but he was equally caring and effective in his other areas of practice as a therapist. Chris' death is not only a great loss for his family and his close friends. It is also a great loss for our community. He was an effective, intense and compassionate therapist and human being whose absence will be greatly missed.

Chris' quiet, self-effacing demeanor, quick wit, compassion, kindness and concern for others, as well as his great passion for adventures are the traits and memories that will always stay with all of us. He left this earth at the peak of his life, doing exactly what he loved to do.

Way to go, Chris!

A celebration of his life will be held at Reeder's Alley in Helena on Sunday Aug. 17, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. Cremation has taken place.

Memorials may be sent to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, the Artisan Dance Ballet Company or the charity of the donor's choice. Retz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.