Dr. Christoph (Chris) Henry Rolf
Dr. Christoph (Chris) Henry Rolf of Eureka, MO, passed away unexpectedly on June 9, 2022 at the age of 82.
Chris was born in Page County, IA on April 30, 1940, and graduated from Tarkio High School in 1958 with honors and scholarships. He enrolled in the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine to follow in his brother’s footsteps. He received his Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 1964.
While attending ‘Mizzou’, Chris met the love of his life, Carol Mittenzwey. They were married on August 24, 1963 following her graduation from nursing school. After Chris’s graduation from the Veterinary College in 1964, he enlisted in the Army as an officer to serve his country with honor. He served 2 years as a Captain and was deployed to Viet Nam to care for guard and sentry dogs.
Following active duty in the military, Chris returned to private practice and worked in several animal clinics in Missouri and Illinois. In 1970, Chris and Carol moved back to the St. Louis area where he worked in private practice at Tri-city Animal Clinic in Ellisville, MO. Finally, Chris opened his own practice, Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital in Ellisville, MO. He practiced both small and large animal medicine for many years and was never prouder than when he was asked to care for the Anheuser Busch Clydesdales at the St. Louis Brewery.
Chris loved his country upbringing and could usually be found in cowboy boots and a hat. He was a voracious reader and loved watching rodeos. His past times included leather work and collecting turquoise jewelry, coins, and guns. His love of family, willingness to help anyone, and love of God and country will never be forgotten. He served the Lutheran churches he attended in several different leadership roles.
Chris is survived by his wife Carol, his three children, Jonathan Rolf, Laurie (Rolf) Charow, and Daniel Rolf; his seven grandchildren, David, Weston, Ashley, Megan, Kate, Addison, and Reagan He is preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Mae Rolf and brother, Nelson Rolf. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the St. Louis Humane Society, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Eureka, MO, or St. John’s Lutheran Church, Westboro, MO. The family of Dr. Chris Rolf wishes to thank the wonderful staff at St. Andrews at Francis Place nursing home for their loving care, and the Veteran’s Administration for caring for our service members.
Memorial Services:
We invite any family or friends to attend. All 3 children and families are planning on attending both services and would love to visit with long lost friends and celebrate the life of our dad.
St. Louis area:
July 25, 2022 St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 500 Meramec Blvd, Eureka, MO 63025; 1pm visitation, 2pm service, reception following at church.
Tarkio area:
July 27, 2022, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 22186 State Highway B, Westboro, MO 64498; 1pm visitation, 2pm service, internment following and reception at church.
Love my dad and will miss him. I value all the lessons he taught me.
So many prayers for you and your family. We were patients for years at Maple Tree Eternal rest granted to you and perpetual light shine upon you….may your soul through the mercy of God Rest In Peace
I love my unca Chris. He was so full of joy and had the biggest heart. I still have the dolls he brought me back from his Vietnam tour. I’m sure he and Dad are having a great time reconnecting in spirit. ❤️
I have fond memories of Chris. His mom and dad were my neighbors when I was a little girl and remember Mar keeping a map of Viet Nam with dots on it marking where Chris was according to his letters
Chris and I were THS classmates. I considered him one of my good friends in school, band, etc. My husband also served in Vietnam. I had heard from him through FB in recent years and will miss this.
I was named after my Uncle so I feel honored to have known and love him. Now he my dad can laugh with each other again. Uncle Chris was such an kind and gentle soul and we be greatly missed.
I have wonderful memories of Dr. Rolf! He was such a wonderful person and great first veterinary mentor! Always ready to tell or hear a joke from anyone who walked thru the clinic doors.
A great man, loved spending time with him and his knowledge, and always those jokes. Will miss
his witty humor !!!
You took care of our family fur babies for 30+ yrs. Your kindness, expertise and compassion were a blessing to us. And anyone who knows you, knows your sense of humor is irreplaceable. Heaven has earned a special angel who has a front row seat just on the other side of the rainbow bridge. Thank you so much for everything.
My condolences to family and friends. Dr. Rolf was a true blessing to so many. ❤️
Chis and I grew up together went I lived with his mothers sister, Lena Meier on their farm we had nothing but good times and all the trouble 2 boys are age could get into. Orma can tell you who I am
As a sales rep, I first met Chris while working for Jen-Sal Labs . Chris was at Tri City Vet in 1976. Called on Chris thru his time at Maple Tree.
If Chris was having worries, one never knew. Chris was the one vet I wanted to call on when I was down. He was good cheer. He was a good, honest, hard working vet, one of a vanishing breed.
My condolences to the family, the members of which he spoke often.
Your Dad was our vet at Maple Tree. When we lost our previous Golden, the morning after we had brought her in for a diagnosis, he felt so badly that he did an autopsy free of charge. He couldn’t have found the hole in her pericardiac sack. It really upset him. He was a good man, excellent vet, and loved animals. He was our go to when we lived in Chesterfield. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. We are so sorry for your loss.
Doc-what a neighbor ! You taught me so much!
And it wasn’t exactly easy stuff. Your courage, your Christianity, your fun loving spirit, your love of family; a larger than life persona that will live on in the hearts of those you touched. I’ve read that God is getting an army together- – – looks like you have more to do!
What a wonderful legacy this fine man leaves for all who knew him! Besides his loving care of the animals he met throughout his years, he genuinely cared for his human friends. Thank you Dr Rolf, for the kindness and friendship you shared with my daughter, Chris, in Labadie as a neighbor. God be with your family as they process their grief.
I am just now finding this as my son asked where my mom used to work and I was drawing a blank at the name of the practice. Dr Rolf was always so nice when we went in, which was me mostly to visit my mom Sue while she was working. He went out of his way one early morning around 2am in Jan of 1993 when our Rottweiler collapsed unexpectedly. My mom messaged him and he said he would meet my husband and I there. We drove from St Charles and he met us at the practice. Unfortunately our puppy dog was not revivable but he sure did not have to meet us at those hours, but he did!
Thoughts and prayers to the family!