Obituary for Christopher Richter

On the evening of December 11, 1995, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Chris and Charlien Richter blessed their son Chad with the very best Christmas present ever, a baby brother. Christopher Andrew Richter came roaring into life that winter as a 100[[][%]], A-one boy. He loved all of the things that allow little boys to get dirty: fishing, camping, and shooting guns.

As a little boy, he loved to be the center of attention and because he had the uncanny ability to make people laugh, he typically had all eyes on him.

He was a determined child and when he wanted to slay the dragon of learning to ride a bike at age four, he did it – bumps, bruises, scrapes, and all. It wasn’t pretty, but he got it done. Many years later, he was riding his bike down a hill, in the dark with a dog chasing him. He ran into a parked car and reported, “bruised knuckles and dead pride.” But he never lost his love for bike riding.

Although school wasn’t his favorite place to be, he was a well-read, deep and scholarly man. His preference was adventure and science fiction literature. As a music aficionado, he even taught himself to play the guitar.

Christopher could frequently be found with people. Whether learning to play billiards with his father or playing Mine Craft with his brother, cousins, and friends, he loved a new challenge.

Christopher lived life on his own terms, getting as much experience out of each moment as he possible could. He fought to overcome his shyness and said that he didn’t want his fear of being shot down to stop what could have been the best times of his life. He was a man of integrity who felt that doing the right thing, being the person he was raised to be, and doing right by everyone who loved him was his duty.

Perhaps it was the fact that there was something magic about him, or perhaps it was the fact that he would do anything for anyone without thinking of himself. Whatever the case, he was someone of beauty. And as it is with all beautiful things, his time on earth was fleeting.

After just a momentary lifetime of sharing vast secrets, bold adventures and mutual adoration, Chad lost his best bud and little brother, Christopher on July 8. Also cherishing the love he left in his wake, are his parents, Chris and Charlien Richter, his fiancée, Miss Autumn Lea, all of Ponca City, and his adopted brother, Justin Van Buren and wife Jennifer of Ft. Smith.

Grandad Charles and Nana Sharon Peavler of Ft. Gibson, Grandpa Rolf and Grandma Sandy Richter of Broken Arrow and Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Tammy Platt of OK are left with 18 years of quirky memories. Aunts and uncles include Barbara Peavler of Wagoner, Heather and Richard Bryan of Muldrow, Shelly and Phillip Patterson of Inola, and Robert Reithknecht of Muskogee.

Cousins, who were fellow adventurers through his life, include Jessika, Kevin, Bobby and Bentlee Bryan, Danielle and Gracie Owens, Jesus Delacruz and Chase, Dani, Adelaide and Mandy Patterson. Christopher also leaves behind numerous other extended family and friends.

When Christopher became a driver, he made the decision to become an organ donor as well. In true Christopher fashion, his last act on this earth was one of giving that which he no longer needed to those whose life would be enriched, lengthened, and made sweeter by his gift.

Christopher will be celebrated Monday July 14, at 2 p.m. at the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ with Herb Raines presiding. He will be carried to his final resting place by his big brother, Chad Richter, his adopted brother, Justin Van Buren, friends Jordan Brumley, Matthew Clinton, and A.J. Martin, and cousin, Kevin Bryan, and the two young men who laid in a remote field with him for two hours waiting for help to come, Ivan Fry and Zach Vassar.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tess Townsend, Zach Testerman, Justin Rouse, Jesus Delacruz, Autumn Lea, Bobby Bryan, Ricky Grand, and Israel Harmon. Those wishing to honor him by wearing his favorite color to his celebration, should know that he was a typical boy right up until the end, with is favorite colors being blue (the color of boys) and green (the color representing outdoors). As he loved his four legged friend, Rocky.

Memorial donations may be made to the Ponca City Humane Society, P.O. Box 1671, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74602.

A visitation to receive family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 13th, at Grace Memorial Chapel.