Kris Gene Gschwind

October 12, 1959- January 3, 2025

Kris Gschwind passed away peacefully on January 3, 2025 after a long battle with complications from Kidney Disease. He was a graduate of Montgomery High School and UC Davis. Upon achieving a perfect score on the LSAT, Kris went on to study law at UC Berkeley and Arizona.  Although he never practiced law, he continued to read and study law. 

Kris enjoyed the local SRJC sports teams and could often be seen at the men and women's basketball games. He dabbled at golf for many years too. Kris was an intellect, deep thinker, literary enthusiast, poet, and an ardent reader. He participated in multiple book clubs throughout his life, oftentimes several book clubs at once.  

An incredibly devoted son, Kris lovingly and diligently cared for his mother while she struggled with cancer over many years. The passing of his mother caused Kris much grief, which eventually prompted his journey for emotional well being. His recovery was only made possible when fate steered him towards the extraordinary care and kindness of his psychiatrist and therapist. Kris became an avid proponent of mental health, and he cared deeply about all people having access to mental health services. Kris encouraged others to seek help and would attend local mental health group support services not only as a way to psychologically grow for himself but also to be of support to others. 

Kris was an amazing soul with so much love and care to give to everyone. He was in large part defined by his great wit and found much joy in such simple things as reading, singing, and outings. Although health issues caused him a great deal of pain for the last several years, he was still able to remain positive to whomever he talked to. He rarely complained or brought attention to himself even in times of being uncomfortable himself. 

Kris brought much joy into many people's lives and will definitely be properly missed. He will live on in all of us, and those who knew him are grateful for all that he taught us about human relationships.  

Kris will be missed for his deep compassion for people, passion for knowledge, dark humor, incredible aptitude for empathy, curiosity, sweet tooth, & ongoing quest for the best chicken wings.  He was a gentle soul and a loving and caring son. His quick wit and wry smile will be missed.  Kris touched people deeply in his life with his kindness, yet he always remained humble.

In lieu of flowers and other tributes, a donation to NAMI is suggested.

Kris was an extremely talented writer. This is one of his many poems.

I’m looking outside at the wind blowing through the tree leaves

With my mortal eyes 

With my ternal eyes

I see my mother, my brothers, and my dog

Waving at me and saying to me we’re here

Mitzi looks at me with her soulful eyes

And I say come up into my lap Mitzi

She comes and leaps into my lap

Crawls up my belly and chest

And gives me a thousand DOGGIE KISSES

I love you too Mitzi

And kiss her on her head

Her tail thumbs against me

You’re going to kill me with that tail Mitzi

Thump

Thump

Thump

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