Chris Allan Eyre

Chris Allan Eyre passed away on December 4, 2023 in the family home in Fremont, California, surrounded by his beloved family after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.  He was so grateful to have had time to spend with those he loved before the Lord called him home.

Chris was born on March 13, 1947 to H. Dean and Ruth Swenson Eyre in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He has many fond memories of growing up in beautiful Logan (Cache Valley), Utah, graduating from Logan High School and later Utah State University.  During the course of his college years, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Great Britain.  Upon returning from England, Chris met and began courting the love of his life, Hedy Hunsaker, also a native of Logan.  They were married in the Logan temple on July 23, 1970.  Upon graduation from USU, Chris and Hedy moved to Boston where their only daughter, Elisha, was born.  Chris received an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1973.

Chris and the small family then moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he began his career.  The family continued to grow as four sons (Adam, Sam, Ben, and Aaron) were born.  The family lived in San Mateo, Concord, and, finally, Fremont, where they bought and restored a beautiful old farmhouse. Redwood, olive, palm, and pepper trees graced their three acres along with flowers, a delightful stream and added recreational areas. This special home oasis came to be known as “Eyreland”.

Professionally, Chris was involved in the venture capital world for over 45 years. Initially managing venture investing for Bank of America, he and partners formed Merrill, Pickard, Anderson, & Eyre in 1979. After a lengthy career with MPAE, Chris first retired at age 40 to devote more time to his family and his church.  He taught his daughter’s early morning scripture study class, coached his sons’ sports teams, served as the bishop of his local congregation, trying to focus on things he felt were of the greatest value.  That early first retirement allowed a sweet period of flexibility with the lively family.  In 2001, as his children began leaving for college, he re-engaged in the venture world, helping create Legacy Venture, a unique model using investment returns to amplify the size and effectiveness of philanthropy.  Chris took a three-year sabbatical (2008-2011) from Legacy to preside with Hedy over the Toronto Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  After returning to Legacy for several years, Chris finally moved to emeritus status in 2016 to focus on his family and growing portfolio of twenty grandchildren.  Chris has served on the boards of directors for numerous private and public companies as well as many nonprofit organizations.

Above all, Chris was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He was a man of faith who intentionally chose to organize his life in a manner consistent with his priorities.  He was known by those closest to him for his wisdom, gentleness, humility, compassion, and integrity.  Chris was a gifted teacher, both formally and informally.  He loved to engage people in deeply meaningful conversations that allowed truths to be discovered.  Chris was a visionary.

He saw the potential in both people and situations.  He also had the commitment necessary to help himself and others fulfill their dreams.  This was true not only in his career, but, more importantly, with his family, his church service, and his volunteer and philanthropic work.  Although his cancer diagnosis came as a shock, everyone who had the privilege of knowing Chris Eyre would agree that he was ready to meet his God.  His teachings and example will live forever in the hearts of family and friends.

Chris is survived by his wife, Hedy; his children: Elisha (Mike), Adam (Kimberly), Samuel (Lindsay), Benjamin (Ashley); and twenty grandchildren: Mary (Nicholas), Brennan, Madeline, Lucy (Christian), Joseph, Calvin, Cambria, Brookelyn, Shaemus, Nathan, Eliza, Flannery, Livia, Jackson, Rachel, Clara, Rowan, Schroeder, Phoebe, and Hester.   Chris will be reunited with his youngest son Aaron (who preceded him by five years); his mother, Ruth (who proceeded him by ten years); and by his father, Dean (who preceded him by 63 years).

The family would like to express deep gratitude for the superb medical and hospice care Chris received.

Family and friends are invited to attend his funeral at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 48950 Green Valley Road in Fremont on Dec 9 at 11 am.  A second service will be held at 502 E. 300 N. in Logan, Utah on December 19 at 11 am.  The family also welcomes the honor of visiting friends and loved ones at a viewing from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the services.

You can view a broadcast of the Dec 9 funeral, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89522863874?pwd=ZFFIZ0Z1S05GRzdQcGhxVUxDWDBHdz09

Chris will be laid to rest in the family’s cemetery plot in Logan, Utah.