Chris Sur

Richard Christopher Sur

Richard Christopher Sur (Chris) of St. Paul, MN, passed away suddenly on February 25, 2023, doing what he loved, skiing in Theodore Wirth park with his good friend Pete. He was 55. Chris was born in Boston, MA to Catherine Anne (Poggi) Sur and Richard Raymond Sur. As a child, Chris lived in North Andover, MA, Quakertown, PA, and eventually Concord, MA, graduating from Concord/Carlisle High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School, and then moved to Minnesota in 1994. For most of his career, Chris was a partner at Maslon in Minneapolis. He was a longtime board member and friend of Tubman, a nonprofit that serves people who have experienced relationship violence.

Chris met his wife, Theodora (Teddie) Gaïtas, at Liquor Lyle's in 1997 (they were introduced by a mutual friend). They would have celebrated their twentieth wedding anniversary this May. Their daughter, Clea Gaïtas Sur, a high school senior, was the joy of Chris's life.

Chris had many passions: music of all types (except country), mosh pits, mountain biking (he twice finished the Leadville 100), cyclocross racing, cross-country skiing with his friends, daily spin classes at Lifetime Fitness, being anywhere outside, photography, lobster rolls, English Premier League football and the Loons, walking his dog Leto, cooking beautiful meals for Teddie and Clea, and anything he did with his family.

In 2021, Chris was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Instead of viewing his cancer as a death sentence, he saw it as a transformative experience. He was determined to live every moment to its fullest. Many of these moments were featured on his Instagram account, where he documented his regular practice of giving the middle finger to cancer, literally and figuratively. Chris's diagnosis also gave him a new softness and vulnerability. During his two years as a cancer survivor, he deeply connected with others and experienced life in a new way. Chris fought the cancer hard and he was winning. His life was cut short by a cardiac event, a last middle finger to cancer.

Chris was preceded in death by his father, Richard Sur. He is survived by his mother Cathie Sur of Concord, Massachusetts, his sister Jennifer Sur of Somerville, Massachusetts, and Teddie and Clea.

There will be an informal reception at Lake Monster Brewing, St. Paul, on March 19, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Chris's family and friends will host a celebration of his life over Memorial Day weekend 2023 for the many wonderful people who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chris's honor to Tubman (tubman.org).