Oct. 30, 1948 — June 2, 2024

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Christopher Lovett Brown, affectionately known as Toby, the Crab Whisperer and Chris by his family and friends, passed away unexpectedly in Bellingham, Wash., on Sunday, June 2, 2024. With a curious mind, gentle nature and an educator’s knack for engaging with others, he was a dedicated steward of both flora and fauna, including his favorite Oregon Spotted Frog. Chris was happiest on his rowboat on Chuckanut Bay where he regularly caught fresh Dungeness crab.

He loved his various volunteer assignments, counting salmon in the streams, participating in the Whatcom County Amphibian Monitoring Program, teaching kids about “Onyx the Octopus” at the Marine Life Center in Bellingham Harbor, searching for invasive green crabs with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Crab Team, or dissecting fish in middle school science classrooms.

Christopher was born in Washington, D.C. He graduated from Beloit College in Wisconsin (1970) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology. His graduate school studies in anthropology at Washington State University in Pullman were interrupted by the Vietnam War when he was drafted by the U.S. Army. After two years of military service, he returned to WSU by way of Yellowstone National Park where he met his future wife, Connie Semple (later divorced). After many archaeological digs, Chris earned a Master of Arts degree from WSU in archaeology. Go Cougs. Christopher and Connie raised their two children in Pullman; Chris built his career at WSU in the Academic Advising Center where he worked until retiring and moving to Bellingham in 2008.

Entertained by books, travel, seminars and museums, Chris was an encyclopedia of stories, which he loved to share with others. His passions also included Northwest Coast Native Art, sports (Mariners, Seahawks and WSU Cougars), birding, aviation history, ancient civilizations, clam chowder, sushi and spending time with his kids and granddog, Mookie.

Christopher was most proud of being Nate and Kim’s dad. The three participated in adventure travels, including Mexico, Belize and Peru, looking for Mayan and Incan ruins and colorful tropical birds.

His family hopes he’s spotting the most fantastic amphibians, birds and fish in the afterlife, and watching the Mariners win the World Series.

Please honor Christopher by donating to his favorite organizations: Whatcom Land Trust and the Whatcom County Amphibian Monitoring Program.