Christopher "Chip" Kent Brunsoman

Christopher “Chip” Kent Brunsoman, age 58, of Mahtomedi, MN, passed away unexpectedly on November 30, 2025. Born in Kanagawa, Japan, to Jerry and Sherry (Brower) Brunsoman, Chris was raised with a drive that defined his life. A White Bear Lake High School wrestler and University of Minnesota graduate, he formed lifelong bonds through the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

While Chris found early success in the corporate world, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to the trades. Founding Chris Electric Inc. and earning his Master Electrician license were among his proudest achievements; he served his community with an uncompromising, old-school integrity for many years.

Life came full circle when Chris met the love of his life and fiancée, Lisa Newman. Their hearts were fully joined in a partnership that felt like home. From the moment he first told her, “I am crazy in love with you”, those words became a private refrain—an enduring inside reference that defined their bond. A steadfast cornerstone for Lisa and her sons, Joseph and William, Chris embraced them as his own. To him, family wasn’t just a title; it was a proud responsibility he lived out every single day.

A man of quiet depth, Chris often carried a serious demeanor, yet those who knew him well saw a different side of him entirely. He was a force of nature with a sharp, sarcastic wit and a remarkably loud voice. Known affectionately as “a beast” for his legendary work ethic and protective nature, his formidable exterior merely shielded a deeply gentle heart. He and Lisa shared a life full of laughter, often sparked by his signature snort whenever he laughed his hardest—a sound that never failed to make Lisa laugh even harder.

As a man of vibrant interests, Chris was a lifelong Deadhead who found peace in the strings of his guitar—a passion stretching back to his college band days. His curiosity was endless, whether he was immersed in a true-crime novel, riding his mountain bike, or enjoying a night of MMA or horror movies. He was most at peace in the sun or on the water, whether at the helm of his boat or on a Caribbean beach, he was in his element, dreaming of a future on the Florida coast.

This compassion extended to all living things. A tireless supporter of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota, Chris frequently rescued injured or orphaned animals and provided generous support to their mission. At home, he was the devoted “pet dad” to Willie, Maggie, and Walter. His generosity was as unassuming as it was profound—he was the man who simply showed up when life got hard, providing a steady hand for others without ever wanting recognition. To know Chris was to see what real strength and heart look like in action.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sherry, and sister, Brooke Helene Kassar. He was recently joined in rest by his father, Jerry Kent Brunsoman, on February 6, 2026. Chris is survived by his fiancée, Lisa Newman; the sons of his heart, Joseph and William Newman; his niece and nephews, Isabella, Quincy, and Maxwell Kassar; their father, Bernie Kassar; and a close-knit circle of family and friends.

A private family Celebration of Life will be held in April. May his soul find eternal peace.