Christopher Simmons Hull ’83

Christopher Simmons Hull ’83, Ph.D., passed away peacefully on February 23 at his home in Richmond, Virginia. Chris is survived by his wife, Karina; children Clarissa (and spouse Ben), Denise, Noah, and Isaac; and grandson Neil. Chris grew up in Westborough, Massachusetts. At Dartmouth he studied chemistry and engineering and participated in a language study abroad program in Germany. While earning his master’s degree in engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he met Karina. Soon after, Chris received a doctorate in environmental engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1983 he “caught the paddling bug,” beginning a lifelong passion for whitewater kayaking. In his 20s, Chris trained and competed nationally in slalom kayaking. When the time came to put his racing days behind him, he moved his family to Richmond and the banks of the James River, the “greatest home river anywhere!” as he would regularly boast. With his family and friends he enjoyed kayaking, rafting, or canoeing. Chris served as president of the James River Outdoor Coalition, leading park improvement projects and river cleanups. As an empty nester, he returned to traveling and kayaking nationwide, from the Payette River in Idaho to the Grand Canyon. During his final week, Chris spent two days getting a lap in despite sub-freezing temperatures. Memorial contributions may be made to the James River Park System or James River Outdoor Coalition.