For My Brother, Christopher, The Good Soldier Dear Chris, How much I've loved you as a big brother all these years. As a child, I looked up to you and admired you for your intelligence, your vast store of knowledge, your athletic ability and your strength. You were a champion tennis player. In the Army, you earned several medals: the National Defense Service Medal, a marksmanship badge, and a good conduct medal. You were never a wild teenager like me. You loved maps and books- history books, atlases, encyclopedias, and most of all, almanacs. You could recite the capital of every country on earth, and tell us the population of all cities in the U.S. with over 100,000 people. As a teenager, you were interested in geneology and went by bus to the Grosvener Library in Buffalo, where you researched our entire family history, going back to the 1500's. You drew detailed family trees of our ancestors and unearthed things our parents never knew about their heritage. We learned that we were related to the famous Penelope Kent Stout, an early white settler in Monmouth County who came over on a ship from Holland in 1640. The boat was shipwrecked in Sandy Hook, and Penelope and her husband were attacked by Indians and left to die. Penelope was found by another group of Lenni Lenape Indians who cared for her. Penelope survived, married an English born colonist, Richard Stout, had 10 children and lived to be 110 years old. Chris did this research before computers, Google and Ancestry.com to do everything for us. I was very proud of you for serving in the Army, going to Germany. We welcomed you back with your wife Marga and your adopted son, Wilhelm. I am still trying to track him down. When you got sick, I was very concerned and did whatever I could to help you try to get back on your feet. I think it was because of you that I went into the field of psychology. As the years went by, our roles changed, and I looked after you more and more, especially after Mom and Dad passed away. You were such a good guy, never complaining about anything, accepting your situation and making the best of things. You were always glad to be with the family. You loved Mom and Dad and all of us very much. All the people who took care of you, especially during this past difficult year, liked you very much, and said, "He's good! He's never a problem." You were lucky to die peacefully, and I was glad you didn't suffer very much. I know for sure that you are now in heaven with Mom and Dad. Goodbye, Dear Chris!

I remember when this picture was taken. It was before you and the rest of the family moved away. I missed you so much. You were my first brother, and we shared a love of reading. We used to walk to the NT Publc Library , about a mile from our house when I was 10 and you were 8 years old. We would each check out 6 books ( the maximum allowed) and we would first read our books, than trade and read each other's. When you were a star first baseman on your Little League team, Dad taught me to keep score and I traveled with the team to the All Star playoffs. I was so proud of you!

You always did your best, in sports, in your studies, in your military career. You never complained, even when life became hard for you. I wish I could have been there when you suffered with mental issues and finally, when cancer defeated you. You were never far from my thoughts. I am so glad Cindy was there for you after Mom was no longer able to. Goodbye, Chris, my beloved brother!

Christopher David Wasson was a very talented and handsome young man of great promise, who bore the vicissitudes and sharp turns of his life with grace, dignity and without complaint. He is now at rest and is deeply missed by his loving family. His funeral was well and beautifully organized and effected. Thank you to Chris, and to his family, and especially Cindy, who did so much for Chris in his final days. With our great sympathy, -- George and Margaret Stevens

From my earliest days, I knew that my Uncle Chris had the coolest eccentricities. I remember his coin collection in Burlington and his honey jar collection in Lakewood. I loved my Uncle. Lucian and Malaika got along well with him too. They enjoyed their visit to see him in the nursing home. I am so grateful to my mom Cindy for her tender and steadfast care of Chris. She stood by him no matter what. This past year Chris struggled with cancer. My mom fought tirelessly for him, getting him the care he needed, and always made sure he was surrounded by loving family. You'll be in our hearts Chris.

So sorry that you're gone Uncle Chris. You were always so kind and patient. The world has lost a lovely, gentle soul.

Chris, a gentle soul, R.I.P.

We miss you, Uncle Chris!