This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Chris Casebeer, 70, born on September 16, 1946 and passed away on September 2, 2017. We will remember him forever.
This site is to help us all remember the father, husband, brother, and friend Chris was to so many people from Altadena to Laguna, from Santa Barbara to Havana, and across the world. Please explore the tabs above, either comment in the 'Tribute' section or share on the 'Stories' tab.
A Celebration of the Life of Chris Casebeer will be held Sunday, October 8th at 2pm at Godric Grove in Ellings Park (1298 Las Positas Rd) in Santa Barbara. Please tell kiosk at front gate that you are attending memorial, and drive to the top of the hill. Parking may be limited so please carpool if possible. There will be an option for drop off at Godric Grove for those with limited mobility. Please bring a photo of Chris if you have one to add to a memorial collage. Hawaiin shirts and flip flops highly encouraged.
In Lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to one of Chris' favorite organizations. Chris believed in these organizations with all of his heart, and he worked to support them for many years.
Special Olympics Santa Barbara
Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County
Tributes
Leave a tributeChris Casebeer was my older brother from another mother and my very first friend, who knew me from the day I was born. He has always been and will always be a hero to me.
Our mothers were best friends, a bond forged when they were beautiful young women whose destiny changed due to World War II. They remembered where they were when Pearl Harbor was attacked and their lives changed forever. My mother, Wanda Clements Otis was a student at the Pasadena Playhouse at that time. Both she and Julie, Chris’s mother, married dashing young men who had been drafted as soldiers, became officers then found their homes close together in Altadena and Pasadena. My father, Charles K Otis, known as Chuck, and Chris’s father, Art Casebeer were close friends too. Together both couples played bridge, and were actors and directors at the Theatre Americana in Altadena.
They took summer vacations together, renting houses for two weeks every summer at local beaches. My mother adored and emulated Julie. Julie had her children first - Paul and then Chris, My mother was not sure she could have children, but after 5 years of marriage I was born, when Chris was about 2 ½. I know that we were together a lot as children.. and I have the charming photo from those days that is one of my favorites. Julie and Paul and Chris and their cocker spaniel. And me just learning to walk with my mom and our cocker spaniel Duffy.
We spent summer vacations at Laguna Beach with them. Paul and Chris were the big boys, diving under waves, exploring the shore and shallow diving for abalone in the early 1950s. To me Chris and Paul were like my older brothers bigger than life, young heroes who could conquer everything.
As we grew up we went to different schools. But got together for family events like Christmas Eve and summers at Laguna. My mom and Julie exchanged Christmas gifts and being fashionably causal about raising their children. Which they did with meticulous care.
Our lives went separate ways, and when we reconnected later, Chris remembered how much my dad loved Christmas, hosting our annual party on Christmas Eve, decorating trees, playing Santa and encouraging everyone to have a good time. One part of coming to our house was playing our slot machine. Dad bought a used nickel slot machine from an officers club after World War II. We played it just for fun. This machine went on to be an inspiration for Paul and the beginning of his interest in slot machines.
During and after high school we did not see Chris and Paul much, but heard of their exploits and admired their careers and successes. Both of them heroes to me in what they did and where they lived and they went. My mother died suddenly when she was 62. My younger sister Kelly and I stayed in touch with Julie and Art and I last saw them in 1986 when they came to my dad’s 75th birthday party.
Chris and I reconnected about 10 years ago and I experienced the rush of energy that is Chris. Well, you all know that part of the story. He again was larger than life and yes, heroic to me. He took me around to see real estate in Santa Barbara, my dream of paradise! We stayed in touch by email. I visited him a few times in Santa Barbara, met Teriana, and looked at old family photos and art work and his wonderful plants. We shared experiences and insights and he asked me detailed questions about my field of sports medicine. What I remember most about reconnecting with Chris was how proud he was of his children and how much he enjoyed being a grandfather, just as Julie and Art were so proud of him.
When Chris got his diagnosis, (which he dealt with as a hero), one thing he wanted to do was to come see me and my sister Kelly. I will cherish that gift of connection and grace and those memories. He and Teriana spent a few days in Portland, went to see Multnomah Falls and the Portland Japanese Garden. We sat on our balcony and talked, petted our dogs and ate well. Well, he did all he could to eat well and never mentioned his difficulties. We talked about memories, looked at the photos from the past, and he remembered more than I thought about those times together as children. He then went to see my sister Kelly in Bend and they later took a trip to Yellowstone together with Kelly and her husband Bruce. He shared his house in Santa Barbara with me and my sister Kelly. He invited Kelly to houses it. It got her out of the cold and back into the sun and Southern Ca and meant a great deal to her. Hero again .
I have been told that grief is the price of love. Everyone who knew Chris loved him so there is a lot of grief today. In my heart forever my older brother and my Hero, Chris Casebeer.
With love,
Carol L. Otis MD
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you - Chris will always be remembered.
Fondly,
Emily Robbins Browne
Thoughts and love to your family.
My prayers are now for his loving wife and family
Leave a Tribute
chris and teriana in love
I have known Chris since 1980 when we met on the street we were both living on, Scenic Drive, while I was walking my dog. I lived in England from 1983 to 1987, but when I returned, we saw each other sometimes around town, and in 2005 we found ourselves in Richard McLaughlin's yoga class and saw each other every week. Chris and Teriana came to the potluck celebration in October 2008 when I married Gerard from Holland, and we continued to connect in yoga class. Teriana is Chris's deepest love, and it shows in the photo I took of them in 2014. I will miss Chris forever, miss his big hugs and warm heart.
Christopher,
How very fortunate we were to have grown up at the time and place that we were blessed with, for this amazing journey we were about to take growing up in the 50s was so unique and special. The times were prosperous for the country, opportunities were boundless and we got to participate by just showing up.
We started horsing around together 65 years ago! Remember Kindergarten? It was much different then. Don’t know if I learned much between naptime and recess, but there’s no question that we learned life’s lessons. Remember the time the whole school had an outdoor assembly? And our surprise was riding through the east playground gate, the one and only Montie Montana! It was the simple things.
Elementary School was the time of school bussing. How fortunate for us that we were all brought together as young children. We all played together, learned together, talked together, shared together, and moved forward together. It gave us a head start in the events to come and the life altering 60’s.
Was it you that invented the skateboard? I seem to remember you nailing a metal skate to a piece of 2x4. It sure helped develop those coordination skills that came in handy at Laguna Beach when we spent those endless days body surfing. I can still feel that cold breeze on my face and the hot sun on my back. Brushing off the dried sand and running up the hill for the nice lunch that Julie had waiting.
How about that Skim Board you made out of a piece of plywood? Carefully filing down the sharp edges. You throwing that round disc into the receding wave and running like hell, you jumped onto this creation and skimmed
along the beach.
It was time for Junior High School. (I think its Middle School now days). Sports, sports and more sports. Tackle football on your neighbors front lawns, three yards, I remember. And basketball in Mac’s driveway, until much too late. Bicycling took us out of the neighborhood and into new adventures and new discoveries. The money from our paper routes didn’t hurt either. No more collecting returnable bottles at Eliot for a package of cupcakes.
We were in the CHPs.
Then came the real milestone. One day I found you in the yard with Art, putting together some plywood, tubing, wheels and a lawn mower motor. It became a “Go Cart” – and we were off. Flying down the street 3” above the asphalt. More learned skills that would be tested in the High School years, after all, you did have the coolest car on campus. That beautiful, British racing green MG. Top down – how sweet was that ride? (I did get some rides when those cheerleaders weren’t hanging around. Just kidding.)
We soon lost you for a short time as soon as you moved north to your beloved city by the beach, Santa Barbara. I’ve sometimes reflected on your story of a very, very early experience as a child, a misunderstanding and an event that formed part of your adult life. One of always reaching out to help, to engage, to support, to volunteer for your charities. You set the bar pretty high, but you taught by example.
I can say that I will miss your calls and our excursions, but I will not be sad, because you will always be with us.
Love Roger, Rufina, Jennifer and Stephanie
So glad we got to know you better lately!
We're so happy that we got to know Chris better over the last few years. We first met him about 18 years ago when our son, Jay, met Chris's step-daughter, Celeste, who ultimately became his wife. Over the years we've had many family celebrations, gatherings and events in Santa Barbara as well as in the Bay Area, where we live, but we didn't really get to know Chris until about 3 years ago when we were in SB for Christmas. The night before we left to head home we had dinner with Chris and Teriana at Olio E Limone and shared life stories and felt like we had established a friendship, rather than just a connection through family. After that Chris and Teriana came to the Bay Area a couple of times for Jer's volleyball tournaments and we cheered with him in the stands and shared dinners in the evening. The photos I posted were taken this July at one of those dinners in Jay and Celeste's backyard, (though sadly they weren't there because they were in NY). We had a wonderful summer evening together, sharing the joys of our family and the grand children. Chris was so happy. Sadly, this was the last time we saw him. We're so grateful we became closer during the time of his illness and got to witness the opening of his heart as he fully embraced life, love and the connection of family and friends. We'll miss you Chris. Love, Linda and Bart