Christopher Brossart

Christopher Patrick Brossart was born on January 9, 1983 in Minneapolis, MN. He died on May 14, 2026, at the age of 43. Chris died at his home in New Brighton, MN in the arms of his wife, Abby; his sister, Tricia; his brother, Matt; and his parents, Peg and John.

Chris was an amazing husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was smart, strong, and good. He was a connector who loved science, good conversation, technology, labeling things, and helping people. We will miss him dearly. This obituary can hardly scratch the surface of the man he was and what he means to the family, colleagues, and friends who are mourning his passing.

Chris is survived by his dear wife, Abby, and his children - his ultimate pride and joy - Mira (15), Vaughn (13), and Luna (8). He is also survived by his parents, John and Peg; his siblings Matt and Tricia; and the in-laws he welcomed as siblings: Keena, Nick, Abby, Jake, Ellie, Kari, and Kory. Chris dearly loved his nieces and nephews and reveled in spending time with them. He is also survived by his grandmother, Charis Brossart, along with 30 aunts and uncles and numerous beloved cousins.

Chris was predeceased by his dear youngest brother Tom, whom we lost just 18 months before Chris. He was also predeceased by his mother-in-law Linda Taylor; his grandparents Frank and Leona Dolezal and Joe Brossart; and his Aunt Sharon and Uncle Doug Bortcheller.

Chris fought a brave battle against cancer that resulted from his multiple deployments to Iraq and Kuwait. He was an exceptional officer: dedicated, organized, and an exemplary leader. His last position before being medically retired from military service was directing the IT operations of the Minnesota National Guard. We have always been impressed by Chris's talent, good-heartedness, and bull-headed determination. After watching him fight cancer this past year, we are more in awe of him than ever. He worked so diligently against mounting odds to maximize the time he had with his family, and to prepare us all for when he was gone.

Chris was born in Minneapolis in January 1983. He came into the world strong, happy, and positive, and he remained that way for all of his 43 years. At three months old, he moved with his parents to Fort Clayton, Panama. While living there, he visited Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. His blonde hair and big blue eyes had locals rubbing his head and smiling. Chris learned to love and trust those smiling strangers, and he carried that open heart and love of travel with him for his whole life.

After the tour in Panama, Chris lived at Fort Sheridan in Illinois. He loved watching helicopters take off and land behind the house. After that, the family moved to Hastings, and then to Shoreview, where Chris adapted to a new school and church, St. Odilia. There he joined the Scouts and became an Eagle Scout- growing in him a lifelong love being in nature and doing a good turn daily.

Chris attended Mounds View High School in Arden Hills, Minnesota. He was an honor student, played football, and was captain of the wrestling team. Most importantly, he met Abby Taylor, who became his wife, North Star, and the love of his life. It was also at Mounds View that Chris nurtured his love of science and began to play rugby, a sport he went on to introduce to his siblings, Abby, and many dear friends. He loved the intense camaraderie and struggle of the sport, and the connection that happened between teams after the game.

Chris attended Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He built communities of friends in his science classes and his ROTC program, and became the beloved "Butters" on the Saint John's Rugby team. He received an ROTC scholarship and graduated with a degree in physics.

After college, he deployed twice, to Iraq and Kuwait, where he led soldiers in a war zone, first as a platoon leader and eventually as a Company Commander. Chris was a great soldier, dedicated to doing good work for his country and for the world, both overseas and for his state in the Minnesota National Guard. In his journey to always make the world better, Chris also worked hard to serve in his church community. He taught faith formation classes at St. Odilia Catholic Church for his children and community, and was active in the musical ministry, opening up a new passion and connecting to new people. He was always learning about technology and thinking about ways to steward the planet he stood in such deep awe of, whether by installing solar panels on his house as early as he possibly could, or building elaborate compost systems.

He was dedicated to showing up as the best and most purposeful man he could be, but he was most proud of his wife, his children, and his extended family. Chris's steady presence had a way of turning events into traditions. He could take a fun gathering and make it something that happened year after year, and his mastery of Google Calendar and labeled Rubbermaid bins meant we could all practically measure the year by the events and gatherings he organized. He was never happier than when he was with his people: movie nights at home, camping with his kids and their cousins, trips to Hoot Owl Resort in Waubun, Minnesota. His last big adventures after his cancer diagnosis were bucket-list trips: to the Grand Canyon with Abby; to Breckenridge, Colorado for skiing with the whole family; and an Amtrak trip with his siblings through the Driftless Region to La Crosse, so they could all ride a train together through that beautiful landscape and see this land in a new way.

Chris was an incredible man. He was taken from us too soon, but his influence lives on through his family and the lasting impact he had on his colleagues and friends.

You can read about Chris's journey in the CaringBridge posts Abby wrote, chronicling the past year with love, eloquence, and vulnerability. More updates may be added there in the future, in reflection of Chris and this journey. A direct link: http://bit.ly/3RipLyU

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at St. Odilia Catholic Community, 3495 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126. Gathering of family and friends begins at 10:00 a.m., with the service at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow.

Interment will be held the following day, Saturday, May 23, for immediate family at Better Place Forests in the St. Croix Valley, where Chris chose a tree to rest near his brother Tom, a place where family, friends, and his beloved dog Chidi can walk through the forest with him for years to come.

A Celebration of Life will be announced soon, an evening of music, drinks, storytelling, food, and connection, which was so deeply important to Chris. Details will be updated here and on his CaringBridge page.