Christopher Robert

Dr. Christopher D. Robert, age 50, of Faribault and Minneapolis, MN, died unexpectedly on December 5, 2015 in Minneapolis, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home, 607 2nd Ave. NW, Faribault, on Friday from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. at the church.

Christopher David was born on October 29, 1965, in St. Clair Shores, Mich., to Francois and Christine (Kocsis) Robert. When he was 14 his family moved to Florida. Chris attended Gulf High School in New Port Richey and later worked as a paramedic/firefighter among other occupations. He obtained his pilot's license and subsequently taught flight lessons to help put himself through undergraduate school at St. Leo University. Even now, he still took great pride in flying his Cessna. His determination to educate himself continued at Nova SE University Medical School in Miami. It was there where he met his wife, Kerry Ace, who also was in medical school. They were married on April 12, 1996. Since Kerry was further along in her medical school training when their son Evan was born, Chris played a great role early in his life and they established a tremendous bond as father and friend. Chris completed his Anesthesia Residency at the University of Minnesota, with his last year as Chief Resident. For the past 11 years, he has been an Anesthesiologist at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and the last five years was the Chief of Anesthesiology. At HCMC he took great responsibility as Chief and cared for many of the high-profile cases that went to Hennepin County Medical Center, even doing the anesthesia for one of Kerry's ER partners.

From their beginning at medical school, Chris and Kerry supported and cared for each through many events in life, knowing each other deeply. They loved to travel to large cities such as New York and New Orleans. Their Minneapolis residence provided them with an apartment close to work and many events they enjoyed in downtown. As Evan's hockey career developed and he enrolled at Shattuck-St. Mary's, they became enamored with the small community of Faribault. Knowing also their daughter Jennifer could receive her education in a close knit Catholic environment at Divine Mercy and Bethlehem Academy, they moved to Faribault and still continued to commute for their professions. Chris was very involved with his children's sports. He was invested and cared for Evan and his hockey friends. He often would jokingly give advice to his nieces, nephews and many of Evan's friends about their future careers, always wanting them to reach their highest potential as he had strived for himself. He was in tremendous awe of his daughter Jennifer. At a very young age she survived three heart surgeries, and her determination made an impact on him. He loved watching her play volleyball and the two of them had a close loving relationship.

Chris enjoyed the banter in political conversations with others from a different viewpoint than his. It wasn't for argument sake, but for all to take stake in what they believe in, even though he may not have been politically correct! He also was a generous person, many times giving donations to homeless shelters and others without expecting any recognition for his generosity. He will be greatly missed by many.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Kerry Ace of Faribault; loving children, Evan and Jennifer Robert; mother, Christine (Bob) Broadstock of Holiday, FL; father, Francois Robert of Montreal, Canada; sister, Jacqueline Robert (Mark Forsythe) of Montreal; brother, Francios Robert of Holiday, FL; half brothers, Gabe, Luke, Noah, and Ulysse; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Margaret and Robert McCrae, and his nana,Marie (Chauveau) Robert; sister-in-law, Vicky Robert; and stepfather, Howie Pelz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Christopher David Robert Memorial Scholarship Fund which will be established at Bethlehem Academy.