Christopher J. Kastel

1965 - 2025

"And in that moment, his world changed us forever." It is with heaviness of heart that the Kastel/Hindmarsh family announces the passing of their beloved rock, Christopher John Kastel, age 60, on December 7th, 2025. These recent days and weeks have not diminished any of the disbelief. But here we are. And there he will forever be, standing beside loved ones already passed, all now washed in God's glory. Christopher was born and raised West Springfield. He acquired a top-tier tradecraft that led him all over the world on R&D quests, working as an integral member of the original Segway design team, bringing both the machine and arguably the safest and most efficient lithium-ion battery of its generation to market. Japanese manufacturers wanted to meet him, consequently. So did Beijing. A stint with Amazon soon followed, where he helped to establish safety protocols for their first generation of warehouse robots.  Though, truth be told the job he loved most of all was playing the role of father-figure to the children of his family and friends. He shared your victories. He held fast in your defeats and loved being a protector. And if there is such a thing as regret after death, the fact he's not here for all of you would be his biggest. Just remember- Chris learned this very same lesson far too many times when he was young. "Being there" was important because so many of his father-figures tragically weren't. Nonetheless, when all was said and done, Chris returned to West Side full time… building and renovating restaurants…but more importantly keeping households in fluid working order so family and friends felt comfortable and cozy inside their homes. For years, I rode shotgun in Chris's truck, awestruck by the sheer number of handshakes and conversations that took place, followed by countless stories animated with the waving of his own hands. What an incredible thing to witness. Relationships in every direction and with all walks of life, each built upon the heart first and foremost, then filled with loyalty and respect. Christopher Kastel was living proof at how impossible it is to have acquaintances when everyone is called "friend." Your nonstop and never-ending sympathies arrive continuously to our door. Even those keeping distance prove that even in this age of noise, silence still speaks with the loudest of volume— all of us grappling in these recent months with the shock of how a heart so pure of blood might still so suddenly disappear. Remember though, that ultimately Topher left us the very same way his older brother left him so many years ago- suddenly and without warning. Surviving that death was the greatest challenge of Chris's life, which he accepted by filling his broken and shattered heart with all of you- embracing many as brothers and sisters— speaking with strangers until they became friends. We are now tasked to do the same, and if there's one positive to extract from this moment in time, it's to follow the very path Chris forged. Thankfully, the time to gather to say farewell to that booming voice and strong presence has finally arrived. Medical needles have been threaded, and your patience in all of this will forever be remembered. We cannot thank you enough for holding a place for Chris in all your hearts. So on behalf of those predeceased, particularly his older brother Adolf, as well as relatives from the north, and stepfather Alexander, and Chris's surviving family- mother, Priscilla Hindmarsh, brother, Erick, and father, Adolf, the family is announcing memorial services for Christopher John Kastel on Saturday, June 13th at Curran-Jones. Calling hours will be from 12 noon until 1:30 with a short service to follow. Chris's mantel is now ours to carry. And as we move on with our respective journeys, know that the memory of this man will never stop living in our hearts and minds, both in sadness, and in peace. For those that can't make it, thank you so very much for loving him as you did. May God bless each and every one of you and your families. Finally, we extend heartfelt thanks to Curran-Jones for their professional patience during this family's circumstances. Even without Chris's surprise, the family experienced serious challenges which forced us to make outside-the-norm decisions. Curran-Jones helped with an unprecedented level of guidance.

"And in that moment, his world has changed forever." It is with great sorrow that the Kastel/Hindmarsh family announces the passing of their beloved rock, Christopher John Kastel, age 60, on December 7th, 2025.

No matter how many times these words are read, disbelief doesn't change. But here we are. And there he will forever be, standing beside loved ones already passed, all of them washed in God's glory.

What can be said is that Christopher was born and raised West Springfield, and possessed a top-tier tradecraft that led him all over the world on R&D quests. He was an instrumental member of the original segway design team, bringing both the machine and arguably the safest and most efficient lithium-ion battery of its generation to market. Japanese manufacturers wanted to meet him. So did Beijing. A stint with Amazon followed, to establish protocols so their first generation of warehouse robots could operate safely alongside humans. And when that was all said and done, Chris returned to West Side to build restaurants and decks, and keep households in fluid working order so family and friends felt safe and sound inside their cozy homes.

But none of this seems important right now, does it, because none of it makes any sense. Even the worst of writers knows words come after the processing, not before. Meaning we are still much too early to read about this heaviness of heart adding unforeseen frost to our winter.

For years, I rode shotgun in a truck, awestruck by my brother's interactions with this life of his creation— his every wave and handshake, and conversation- directed to each and every one of you. I listened to stories that carried no faces, marveling at a coalition of friendships built upon the heart and filled with loyalty and respect, proving how difficult it is to have acquiantances when everyone is a friend. My God, he loved all of you.

Which explains the nonstop and never-ending sympathies arriving at our door. Even those keeping distance prove that even in this age of noise, silence still speaks volumes— all of us grappling with the shock of how a heart so pure of blood might still so suddenly disappear.

In light of this, and on behalf of those predeceased, including relatives from the north, and stepfather Alexander, Chris's surviving family, mother Priscilla Hindmarsh, brother, Erick, and father, Adolf, have decided that with these final words it is equally important to acknowledge that their brother, cousin, and son, Christopher John, has also left behind all of you.

So to the children of his family and friends- you know who you are. We are so sorry for your loss. There is no greater heartbreak in youth than a father-figure who celebrates your victories and holds fast during your defeats, yet leaves your life much too soon, and no one learned that lesson harder than Chris.

It's the core reason you all knew him. He simply wanted to be there in a way so many of his father-figures tragically weren't, and if there is such a thing as regret after death, the fact he's not here for you now would be his biggest. Outside of your parents, Chris was a protector. Without question or doubt, I believe this. And it's more than okay to say so.

As for everyone else- we move forward in our respective journeys- Chris's mantel now ours to carry. Remember that ultimately, Topher left us the very same way his older brother, Adolf, left him so many years ago- suddenly and without warning. We are now tasked to do the same, and if there's one positive to extract from this moment in time, it's to follow the path Chris forged.

The death of his older brother was the greatest challenge of Chris's life, which he accepted by filling his broken and shattered heart with all of you- embracing many as brothers and sisters—  speaking with strangers until they became friends.

Like I said, we were his world, and it has been irrevocably changed forever; through heart and mind, both in sadness, and in peace.

Now we say farewell to the booming voice and strong presence, and we do so as one, large extended family. Thank you for loving him as you did. Keep your faith in the Lord. May God bless each and every one of you and your families.

Amen.

Finally, we extend heartfelt thanks to Curran-Jones for their professional patience and guidance during this family's current circumstances. Even without Chris's surprise, there are existing medical needles to thread, which have forced us to make outside-the-norm decisions.

As such, we ask everyone to keep a heartfelt placeholder for this beloved man, so that once the physical healing is all said and done, we can gather in late spring to celebrate Chris's life in a way he most aptly deserves.