Richard Christopher “Chris” Sur, of St. Paul, Minnesota, passed away suddenly on February 25 doing what he loved, skiing in Theodore Wirth park with his good friend Pete. He was 55.
Chris was born in Boston on September 8, 1967 to Catherine Anne Sur and the late Richard Raymond Sur. As a child, Chris lived in North Andover, Quakertown, Pennsylvania and eventually Concord, graduating from Concord-Carlisle High School. Chris was a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School. Chris joined the Maslon Law Firm in Minneapolis in February of 1996.
In his 27 years at the firm, Chris was known for his skill as a litigator, his sharp wit, and his deep commitment to recruiting and mentoring new attorneys. He retired from the partnership on Dec. 31, 2022. Chris was widely recognized for his expertise, most recently by his inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for 2023. “Chris was not just an exceptional lawyer, he was a wonderful and longtime friend to many of us, and we are grateful for the time we had with him,” said Maslon Board Chair Keiko Sugisaka. “His loss is being felt far beyond the firm.”
Throughout his career, Chris demonstrated an enduring commitment to pro bono and community work. He served on the board of the Tubman Family Alliance in Minneapolis, including as its chair from 2010 to 2011, and he was a board member of the Kingfield Neighborhood Association, serving as president from 2009 to 2011.
Chris met his wife, Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Theodora “Teddie” Gaitas in 1997. They would have celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this May. Their daughter, Clea Eleni Sur, a high school senior, was the joy of Chris’s life. Chris had many passions: music of all types (except country), mosh pits, mountain biking (he twice finished the Leadville 100), cyclocross racing, cross-country skiing with his friends, daily spin classes at Lifetime Fitness, being anywhere outside, photography, lobster rolls, English Premier League football and the Loons, walking his dog Leto, cooking beautiful meals for Teddie and Clea, and anything he did with his family.
In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by his mother Cathie Sur of Concord, and his sister Jennifer Sur of Somerville. He was predeceased by his father, Richard R. Sur.
Chris’s family and friends will host a celebration of his life over Memorial Day weekend 2023 for the many wonderful people who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chris’s honor to Tubman (tubman.org). For his online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
