Christopher Kiepke

Christopher J. Kiepke, 50, of Astoria, passed away at home, on July 17 th , 2023, after a lifelong battle with heart
failure. He was born and raised in Astoria, OR by his parents, Donna and George Kiepke, alongside his
younger sister, Melissa. Being born with heart complications and having undergone multiple heart surgeries
throughout childhood and his adult life, he adopted a necessary thick skin for all that life threw at him. His
sense of humor in spite of his ailments led him to build a close relationship with his doctors and hospital team
over the years; those of whom we are forever grateful for.
Chris’ childhood was filled with joining his dad on commercial fishing adventures, riding dirt bikes through the
unmarked trails behind Irving Avenue, and attempting to dominate the basketball courts at the local parks with
his lifelong best friend, Loyd Burleson. He graduated from Astoria High School, class of 1991, and spent many
years working for Safeway in the produce department, both in Astoria and Bend. Eventually he headed to
Quincy, WA to open Time Out Pizza; later selling the business and moving to La Pine, OR to open another
pizza restaurant and tied the knot with Allison Wittig. They had two children, Hunter and Grace Kiepke just
shortly thereafter. After selling his business, the family moved back to Clatsop County, residing in Hammond
for many years before divorcing and relocating to Astoria. His career path led him to working at the Clatsop
County Jail as a Control Room Technician before transferring to the I.T. Dept. as the Help Desk Technician.
His witty banter helped him form strong friendships with his coworkers that lasted even after his retirement
from the County.
His passion for all things fishing and OSU Beaver related was unmatched. Chris took pride in knowing how to
properly tie a fishing leader, never flinching, and smoking the best salmon. If you were lucky enough to get to
be on his boat during crabbing or fishing season, you usually walked away with your catch and you never
forgot to sanitize everything with his secret cleanser, Lemon Joy. The ocean was like a part of the family and
Chris was known to sneak onto the jetty platform during any storm that the news suggested otherwise. He also
loved the game of golf and spent any sunny day he could last summer practicing with Hunter. He was proud to
attend Grace’s horse competitions and even joined her on a beach horse ride one time; afterwards saying that
was definitely not the sport for him, as he wobbled home.
Chris had fond memories of coaching his kids’ elementary sports teams, teaching his children how to dig clams
or reel in a sturgeon, and he never turned down an arm-wrestling competition. He spent the more recent years
experimenting in the kitchen, teaching Grace to cook breakfast eggs and taters and the trick to the smoothest
crème brûlée. He enjoyed scavenging for chanterelles with Melissa and his mom’s birthday spaghetti tradition.
He showed Hunter the delicious secret of adding a runny fried egg to a burger and how fun making a
Thanksgiving trashcan turkey can be. He was thrilled to be with Hunter on his first successful deer hunt and
always enjoyed taking Grace on their Dad/Daughter dates. Chris was lucky enough to find his perfect
companion for the last few years, his sweet and playful Dudley Labrador, Berkley. Rain or shine they enjoyed
at least one game of fetch daily. Chris’ final goal was to make it to his son’s high school graduation, which he
accomplished in May, along with an added bonus of receiving Hunter’s acceptance letter to Oregon State; the
cherry on top!
Chris is survived by his children Hunter (age 18) and Grace (age 17) Kiepke; mother Donna (Everard) Kiepke;
father George Kiepke (Denise); sister Melissa Kiepke (Mike Deckys); an aunt; many uncles and cousins.
It’s only fitting that his celebration of life will be held at the Coffenbury Lake pavilion; where Chris spent many
hours with a trout on the line, his kids by his side, and throwing a stick in the water for Berkley. September 24,
2023 at 11am.