Chris Kroh

Chris Kroh, political science instructor with the University of North Georgia passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at the age of 53, following a long battle with post-cancer and various medical complications. He was born on October 30, 1971.

There will be a graveside service on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. in Memorial Park Cemetery located at 2030 Memorial Park Rd in Gainesville.

Chris was a beloved brother, uncle, friend, and professor. He was admired for his intelligence, wit, compassion, and continuous fight as he battled his medical ailments.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Edna Kroh; his grandparents, his brother Jeff, Aunt Ruth and Uncle Kenneth Kroh, and many family members, friends, and pets whom he loved and who watched over him.

He is survived by his brother Michael, sister-in-law Kathy, two nieces, five nephews, and several great-nieces and nephews, all of whom he adored. Chris also treasured his many friends, especially those in Kansas City and Wisconsin who checked on him and provided constant support and encouragement. Chris missed seeing his family and friends. Not a day went by when he didn’t think of and appreciate them.

Chris lived quite a fulfilling and adventurous life. He moved to Gainesville in August 2015 to teach political science courses for the University of North Georgia and Gwinnett Technical College. He primarily taught online courses with an emphasis on the politics of European and other countries. Chris was promoted by UNG to Senior Lecturer in 2021 and was awarded UNG online instructor of the year in 2018. He was very appreciative of the support from both UNG and GTC following his cancer diagnosis and subsequent health struggles.

Chris earned his Ph. D and B.A. in political science from the University of Kansas, an M.A. from Kansas State University and was a member of the Bishop Ward High School Class of 1990. He previously taught in Wisconsin, for various Kansas and Missouri community colleges and universities including a University of Kansas study abroad program in Florence, Italy, and Paris, France. He completed his dissertation research in Brussels, Belgium, and Strasbourg France.

Chris loved traveling. He was blessed to have visited London, Prague, Vienna, Bruges, Virginia, Philadelphia, and the Hudson Valley among many other places in his lifetime. He visited nineteen MLB ballparks and forty-two presidential historic sites before his illness kept him from travelling. His favorite month of October provided many treasured memories because of Halloween, his birthday, and the fall weather. He enjoyed following sports including MLB and NCAA basketball (especially KU). He was grateful to his brother Mike for showing him how to play the Strat-O-Matic board game which grounded him in many ways. Chris loved reading and leaves behind (too) many books.

Chris was a Roman Catholic and member of Saint John Paul II Mission in Gainesville since 2023 and was previously a member of Saint Michael Parish. He was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary who watched over him and interceded on his behalf on many occasions.

He requested that any donations be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to the Pink Fund which supports breast cancer patients and their loved ones.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Rd., Gainesville, Ga. 30504 is in charge of the arrangements. Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com