Chris Arden Engleman

Chris Arden Engleman, 69, of Boulder, passed away on November 20th, 2024.  As recently as October this year he was traveling in the UK with family and enjoying trail walks in the beautiful Lake District, but he was unable to overcome a sudden health crisis in the last weeks of his life despite the tremendous support of family and friends.

Chris’s lifelong profession was musician.  He began classical bass at age 9 and continued through a year of college at University of Michigan—Ann Arbor.  Throughout his life, beginning in his teens, he also played all types of popular music, learning electric bass, and making a living as a professional since the age of 15 when he obtained a special permit from the labor bureau with permission of his parents to play professionally in local night clubs.  He primarily played popular music for the rest of his career which continued through the last year of his life.  He also tutored many students on both upright and electric bass over decades, continuing into his 50s.  His professional portfolio includes performance with many different local bands, some national and international tours, countless recording credits, and more than 30 years as the house bass player for the eTown radio music-variety show.

Chris was also very active in the community, through music, volunteering, and part-time work using his Master of Library Science degree at the Boulder Public Library. He was a lifelong supporter of environmental causes, including contributions to Save the Redwoods League continuously since the age of 14.

Chris was born December 26, 1954 in Denver to mother Edythe (1929-2021) and father Keith (1925-2024) who died only one short week before Chris.  From his parents, Chris inherited his love of international travel.  The family hosted many international visitors in their home in Chris’s early years, and his parents became adventurous world travelers later in their lives. Chris also traveled as a young man to Europe with brothers Mark and Craig on multiple occasions.

His passion for travel was shared with his wife Joan whom he met in 2003, and together they extended their travel range to include South America, Africa, Australia, Asia and many more trips and countries in Europe.  His other passion was reading everything, including literature, poetry, philosophy, history, and international and travel-related works that he coordinated with his trip planning. It’s impossible to briefly describe someone’s character, but a quote he once gave to his niece seems to come close: “Be silly.  Be honest.  Be kind.”  That was Chris. Friends also loved his sense of humor, and many felt his humility and deep-seated integrity.

Chris and Joan so appreciated the tremendous outpouring of support from both sides of the family through his health crisis, especially our brothers and sisters and their families, as well as our wonderful friends and colleagues.  A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date to be announced.

22 thoughts on “Chris Arden Engleman”

  1. Chris – I still remember our first music gig together, backing up a bossa nova singer at the Boulder Public Library many years ago. My brother was in town visiting and some lady hit mad at him for touching her chair with his foot.

    Fast forward to 2010 and I got to watch you covering every musical territory imaginable at eTown tapings for the next 14 years.

    You were always kind to me, and it was an honor to get to know you and see you put magic in a room.

    Rest easy sir. There are no charts for the music you left in our hearts.

  2. Joan,
    Our deepest condolences. We will all miss Chris terribly. He was one of the finest humans we have had the great pleasure of knowing. We shared many musical events over the years and bonded over our mutual love of jasmine green tea. Deb will especially miss deep talks with Chris about the inner workings of classical music. His bass contributions to Deb’s Easter Cantata elevated the pieces greatly. His gentle nature and quiet brilliance will live on in all who knew him.
    Big Hugs, James and Deb

  3. I met Chris backstage for the first etown show, and pretty much every show until the end – hundreds. As the piano tuner for the Boulder Theatre, and most other venues, we crossed paths a lot. And as a long time friend of Steve Conn, my wife and I would see him play with Steve in all his variations through all the “dives” in Boulder, and up until the Nissi’s show with Gris Gris, a local legend. He would talk about visiting his brother in England, which made me jealous. Too bad we never made time to exchange experiences about Europe. He always impressed me as a philosophical guy, and always non-judgmental about life’s vagaries. We’ve lost a great one, by my way of thinking.

  4. Chris,
    I know wherever you are, you are helping others shine their light, because you are so damn good at that. You probably have some comfy sofa and a sign that says, “Stay Tuned.” I’m so grateful this world got to experience you, Chris… I’ll see you soon old friend.đź’•

  5. What a beautiful soul. I feel blessed to have known Chris some, and to have met Joan on a few occasions. Her arrival in his life was a gift for which he beamed gratitude.
    I am among the many who will miss his presence in our community deeply.
    All kindness to Joan and family in healing.

  6. Although we only met Chris once at a wedding you both attended, we have heard numerous and wonderful stories over the years about Chris and you through mutual friends. Joan, we are so saddened to hear this tragic news. We send you our deepest heartfelt condolences…

  7. Chris and I were late in life friends and collaborators, but I was so very fortunate to have known him these last few years. We should have known in each other in 1972 when we were both at Michigan in Ann Arbor. And I am deeply honored to have collaborated again with him only a few months ago. I have 4 live performances with him from that session that I promise I will share with you in 2025. He elevated me as a musician and as a human. I will miss him. My love to you Joan. Please keep me posted as to a celebration of Chris’s life. I will surely be doing so with every note I play in the future.
    Jonathan Bennett

  8. Rest in peace Chris. I only got to perform with you twice, once in Boulder for our Black Box DVD, and funnily enough, at Renee Safier’s wedding when our bass player took ill minutes before our show. You happened to be in the audience. You were outstanding at both shows, and I am so sad to hear of your passing.

  9. Chris….all the music we played over the years, all the Rockies games. I loved all the time I spent with you…..it just wasn’t quite enough.

  10. I simply adored him. I’m SO sorry, Joan.
    Chris might’ve been the all-time most popular musician/guy in this great state of ours. There wasn’t a soul who didn’t love him.

  11. Chris was such a sensitive, talented, versatile and musical bass player and such a kind human being. I have nothing but wonderful memories for every gig we got to play together! He will be sorely missed!

  12. Sending love to you Joan. Chris was such a spectacular human being in addition to being one of the best musicians I’ve ever worked with. He will be missed.

  13. Chris..or as he will always be to me, “Engs”, was not only one of the great musicians, bass players, bandmates, and partners in crime…he was one of the GREAT human beings. I consider myself one of the lucky ones who got to play and hang with him back in those Boulder days. His playing and musical sensibility always just seemed perfect for whatever genre or style a tune called for. He brought such positive energy to the table, and I will keep his memory and the many laughs we had close to my heart. Engs was one of the best. Our episodes together keep flooding back..and I am ever grateful they do..and always will. Thank you for our time my brother.

  14. Oh this picture!! Chris was a long time friend and amazing human. So very kind, a kindred spirit. He is deeply missed already and his legacy will stay with us forever! Thank you Chris for all that you gave us, so many albums, your live performances, your passion for music, your groove on stage, your genuine smile and heart and soul! I hope you get your reunite with Rick and Scott and keep making music!! My love goes out to Joan ❤️
    Love You Chris,
    Meriku

  15. Oh this picture! Chris was a long time friend and is deeply missed already. He was the most kind , and gentle human . His legacy will live on with us forever. I will never forget you Chris! You left big mark in my heart . Thank you for all that you gave us, so many albums, live performances, your passion for music, that sparkle in your eyes, your groove onstage,! I hope you get to reunite with Rick and Scott and continue making music. All my love to you and Joan, I send my deep condolences ❤️ Meriku

  16. Oh this picture!!! Chris was the most genuine and kind friend for many years. His legacy will be forever with us and I am grateful I was one of the lucky ones to experience his brilliance, his wit and his simplicity. Thank you Chris for all you gave to us, so many albums, live performances, your love of music, your funky groove onstage, the sparkle in your eyes… you are a big part of this community and deeply missed already. I hope you get to reunite with Rick and Scott and continue making music. All my love to Joan!! Keep shining that beautiful light❤️ Meriku

  17. Chris and I worked together at the Boulder Public Library. He ran the Grillo Center for many years when it was at the Library. Sometime around 2005, he started working at the Carnegie Library for Local History with us, and brought a breath of fresh air to our staff. He was so cheerful and creative. We appreciated his help answering reference questions, as well as cataloging architectural collections. He was very talented and provided unique ideas related to his training. When I saw him perform at eTown, that gave us even more to chat about! He loved to talk about his music career and we loved to listen. Keep that twinkle in your eyes and tha smile on your face, Chris. We miss you!

  18. I am so sad to hear of Chris’ passing. Such a wonderful person and huge talent. My deepest condolences to Joan. Chris will be missed by everyone who knew him.

  19. Chris and I were boyhood friends from 1st grade thru high school at Lincoln High. The Englemans were my second family. It is an understatement that Chris will be greatly missed. He was always thoughtful, considerate, filled with humor and a virtuoso putt putt golf pro. He truly belongs to the ages… continued peace to you Chris.

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