R. Christopher Rigel Masters
July 14, 1941 ~ June 25, 2020
Born in:
Brooklyn, New York
Resided in:
Fremont, California
Christopher was known for his wonderful stories, sense of humor and caring ways. He loved the water, hiking, redwoods, and most of all pursuing knowledge and understanding, especially the history of science and “how we know what we know” – epistemology. He was also a marvelous cook and enjoyed being creative in the kitchen – wok cooking a specialty.
He loved to tell and communicate through stories, and he was fond of saying that “he could remember every joke he had ever heard from the age of four” and he could tell them well!
Christopher had an unusual gift – he could “look at what everyone else looks at, and see what no one else sees.” This ability led to many important insights and scientific developments. He was also literate in some 25 scientific disciplines. He used these gifts and abilities to address some critical technical challenges that we face.
Family
He grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and while he was an only child he was one of 14 first cousins in the Schlossel and Stabiner families.
Christopher and Caroline M. Hosken married in June of 1982. We met through friends at a New Years Day brunch in NYC 1/1982, and ten days later decided to get married. Christoper used to say he was slow – it took him ten days and Caroline knew in two!
We lived in Metuchen NJ, Maui Hawaii and Fremont, CA.
Education
- BS in Chemistry – Brooklyn Polytechnic (now Polytechnic Institute of New York)
- Ph.D in Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, Cornell University
- Post-doc in Psychology, Personality Theory, Duke University (almost got a 2nd Ph.D!)
- Christopher was an Arica Diamond in the Arica Institute, the neo-sufi school founded by Oscar Ichazo
- Amateur Lapidary – he learned to cut and polish precious stones – specializing in Australian black opal.
Endeavors
During his long and varied career Christopher spent time at Lockheed Missiles and Space (worked on the factory service contract for the Fleet Ballistic Missile), he was a Visiting Fellow in the Chemical Engineering Department at Princeton University, and he had a thriving Consulting Practice in environmental remediation in New Jersey (and elsewhere).
He pursued significant scientific development on a number of important projects with global implications and humanitarian benefits including:
- the chemistry, delivery process and business/political strategy to successfully remediate the damage to the stratospheric ozone layer (Ozone Shield Restoration)
- the development of a stabilized hydrogen fuel and storage medium: a liquid at room temperature that handles like propane, burns like gasoline, and produces only water and a small amount of recoverable CO2. A gasoline substitute, and a storage medium for excess energy – an alternative to battery technologies. (Extensible Power Systems)
- and projects in areas such as: a cost effective process for desalination of seawater that does not produce a toxic brine, and work in sustainable agriculture among others.
Legacy
Christopher was not retired when he fell ill suddenly in early 2017 with CHF and related conditions, and he fought valiantly to return to health to pursue his unfinished work. We are very open to ways to continue his several important scientific projects – his legacy.
Christopher is survived by his wife Caroline, residing in Fremont, CA.
Be in Touch
If you would like to be in touch with Caroline and you do not have my contact information already, please contact Berge-Pappas-Smith Chapel of the Angels, and they will provide it.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I first met Christopher and Caroline in 2011, when they visited my listing open house in Woodside. I knew I had met an unusual person when Christopher asked for complete silence so he could listen to the redwood trees. We three subsequently developed an enduring business and personal relationship. Interacting with Christopher was a delight intellectually and emotionally. He was funny and filled with energy and excitement. Of all the many things I valued in him, what stands out in particular is his generosity and his love for his wife. How delightful it was to see his face light up when he sang her praises! Indeed, he’d found an extraordinary mate in Caroline and his appreciation of her was a joy to behold. I will miss him. I wish Caroline the enduring balm of having loved and having been loved by her dear soulmate, Christopher.
Christopher was a great man and it is the earth’s loss as well. His work will be carried on in his memory. Rest in peace
I met Christopher in 1973 in Santa Cruz, CA, at an “early” Arica Institute training. It was a “two-old-souls-meeting-again-like-brothers experience. We remained friends until his passing and I could always call him for an intelligent conversation, no matter where or when. This was especially valuable during my 21 years of life in the corporate world. He used to tell me that 50% of the subject matter I presented to him was nonsense, but the other 50% were gems. From someone as well-versed and erudite as Christopher, I always took that as a compliment. In addition, I had the good fortune and karma to introduce him to Caroline.
Rest in peace, Christopher. I know you are still with us in spirit.
On of the most brilliant and intriguing individuals I have ever known. It was to privilege.
The moment we met we became friends. I always enjoyed listening to his stories, Which I will miss more than anything. He was a brilliant, individual, I learned so much from him with a sense of humour with a style of its own. The Love he had for his wife (soulmate) was indeed deep and passionate, and they were like a Beautiful symphony when they spoke together. Remembering him with a smile on his face and laughter in his heart. Missing you Christopher
I am deeply grateful to have known Christopher. He persuaded me, back in 1973, to relocate to California and to enroll in Arica Institute, which was life-changing for me. It was always an honor to spend time with him, enjoying his brilliance, his kindness, and the unique perspectives on life that he freely shared.
but as a concerned caregiver for Mother Nature “Earth.” He was one of most ntelligentual people I’ve ever met.
Any subject brought up was solved or modifited with compassion. Another thing that made my heart smile was his commitment to his wife, Caroline and through thick and thin Caroline was always by his side. A match that had to have been made from Higher Dimensions. God’s Blessing unto you Christopher.
The love between Caroline and Christopher is so beautiful and inspirational for all of us. Caroline, Please accept my deepest sympathies for the loss of your husband.
Our thoughts are with you during this painful time, please accept our sincere sympathies.
“What is lovely never dies, but passes into another loveliness, star-dust or sea-foam, flower or winged air.” —Thomas Bailey Aldrich