Dear Humans and Nature Community,
With shock and sadness, I share that our dear friend and board member, Chris Getman passed away on July 9th. Chris was a founding and life-long member of the Center for Humans and Nature’s Board of Directors. Many of the years Chris spent shaping and caring for the Center’s mission, he was working in collaboration with the Center’s founder, Strachan Donnelley, who was also one of Chris’ best friends.
Chris and Strachan were roommates at Yale—an experience and relationship that was so meaningful for them that they often regaled their Center colleagues with stories of the deep thinking and good fun they shared in those years, through their 1964 graduation, and beyond. Chris and his family were home to many of the bulldogs that represented Yale (all known as “Handsome Dan”), and Chris was also devoted to Mory’s at Yale, receiving the Mory’s Cup award, alongside other distinguished individuals recognized for their extraordinary service to Yale. Chris offered deep, life-long commitments and volunteered countless hours to the institutions to which he was devoted. The Center for Humans and Nature was lucky to be one of those organizations.
For years, Chris served as the Center’s Treasurer, as well as Chair of the Finance Committee. In these roles, he generously offered his expertise to ensure that the Center’s financial investments were also aligned with the Center’s values. The Center’s board and staff are especially proud and grateful for the legacy Chris leaves in this realm. Chris also championed Strachan’s vision to develop land-based programming aligned with the Center’s mission and values. Chris’ colleagues at the Center will miss him very much—not only for his wisdom and dedication to the vision and mission he valued, but also for his wonderful sense of humor and care for those around him.
Read the full remembrance here.
With a full heart and profound respect for our dear friend and colleague,
Brooke Hecht
President, Center for Humans and Nature
