Chris Spear

Chris Spear passed away on February 28, 2024, in Fremont, CA while on a business trip, doing what he loved best: riding his bicycle.
 

Chris was an avid cyclist, who rode whenever and wherever he could. He loved to travel and rode his bike in 29 states and 23 countries with plans to add Spain this month. He rode for the love of riding but also for good. Chris was a participant in the Pan Mass Challenge for 35 years, raising more than $250,000 for cancer research. He was a domestique for Best Buddies. For many years, he ran Bike for the Woods for the Stow Conservation Trust. Recently he rode in the Tour de Tucson, raising funds to eradicate polio and qualifying to be in the “fast group” in 2024.
 

Chris was well known in the Design Verification industry. His book, SystemVerilog for Verification, is an industry classic, and he worked with hundreds of customers around the world for verifying electronic designs.
 

Chris made friends easily and kept those friendships over the years, often for decades. He was a loving and supportive husband and a hands-on and engaged father, serving as the Stow Boy Scout Troop 1 Committee Chair and the Stow Girl Scout “Cookie Dad” for years. He was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, only to appease his wife, yet served as President and as an Assistant Governor for the Rotary district. Having moved two years ago, Chris was an active member of the Rotary Club of Metro Providence and planned to be President in the coming year.
 

Chris was known for his sense of humor, his giving nature, his love of music and concerts, and his extreme love of desserts. He was a teacher and mentor to many people, and he lived life to the fullest.
 

Chris requested a joyous celebration of life in the form of a party, complete with carnival beads. We will celebrate his life on June 1 at Stow Acres Country Club, in Stow, MA, from 4-8 PM. Please RSVP by May 17 at chrisspearparty@gmail.com with your name and number of guests.
 

Should you want to make a donation to the Pan Mass Challenge in Chris’ memory, please donate at https://donate.pmc.org/CS0010. Checks may be sent to:

Chris Spear CS0010

Pan-Mass Challenge

77 Fourth Ave.

Needham, MA 02494