Chris Walterskirchen, 60
Chris (Sparky) Walterskirchen passed away of natural causes in Missoula, May 8, 2017, with his two brothers and sister by his side.
He was born Feb. 1, 1957, to William C. and Kathryn Korn Walterskirchen, in Kalispell, where he attended kindergarten through high school.
At Flathead High School, Chris fine-tuned his lifelong interest in and enthusiasm for sports. Though legally blind, he had an uncanny ability to instantly rattle off intricate and complex statistics. This provided a valuable resource to coaches where Chris served as team manager and statistician for Flathead Braves football, basketball and track teams, and Kalispell Laker Legion baseball teams. He earned the nickname “Sparky” for his shows of excitement, jumping up and off the bench during tense game moments.
Chris attended Montana State University in Bozeman, graduating with a degree in communications in 1980, and a master’s in education in 1981. He moved to Missoula in 1985, and worked for the Missoulian for 23 years, writing columns of sports and general knowledge trivia.
He savored his role as record keeper in the lives of friends, surprising them with real and sometimes obscure trivia that related to their lives. It was not uncommon to get a phone call from Chris saying, “35 years ago today you were …” adding whatever bit of information he had to share.
Volunteering for Missoula Little League kept Chris busy from 1987-2016. Among other official duties, he collected and reported game scores for 29 years. From 1987-2008 Chris announced games and reported scores for Missoula Maverick American Legion Baseball teams. Montana Grizzly athletics were a big part of Chris’s life. He rarely missed a game and was part of the stats crew for Grizzly football and men’s and Lady Griz basketball programs from 1985-2016.
In 2006 Chris received the Campbell Buzzetti Award for “Community Sports Enthusiast.”
Chris brought his positive attitude and commitment to service to schools throughout Missoula, first as a classroom volunteer at Chief Charlo Elementary School for seven years, and then as a childcare volunteer at the YMCA for ten years. In 2008 Chris received the YMCA “Volunteer of the Year Award.” Chris was enjoying his fourth year as a classroom aide at Russell School.
Chris will be remembered by friends and family for his quick wit and sense of humor. An astute observer and a loyal friend, Chris always found ways to entertain those around him with keen insights and his encyclopedic store of personal trivia.
Chris is survived by his sister Lindsay Addington (Jeff) in Bonner, brother Brad Walterskirchen (Vicki) in Kalispell, and brother Mark Walterskirchen (April) in Springfield, Missouri; four nieces: Josey Walterskirchen, Kelli Walterskirchen, Lisa Twining, Aislinn Addington; and one nephew: Tobin Addington; three great-nieces and one great-nephew as well as cousins, uncles, aunts and countless friends.
Chris suggested memorials to “YMCA Childcare Programs,” 3000 S. Russell St. Missoula, MT 59801.
A celebration of life is being planned for Chris in the fall.