Chris Feves Obituary

Elizabeth Christine Feves, known to her loved ones as Chris, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2023 at her home in Sherwood, Oregon. She was born February 26, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois to Dr. Victor Gregory and Dr. Cecilia Dolores Gregory. Chris was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Michael Gregory of Walnut Creek, California.

Chris is survived by her loving husband, Michael Feves, and their two children, Leira Feves Rodreguez, and Victor Feves. She is also survived by two stepchildren, Jordana Levenick and Margot Pearmine as well as her sister Victoria Leary. Chris leaves behind three wonderful grandchildren: Sadie Levenick, Henry Levenick and Jax Pearmine.

Chris was a strong, smart and compassionate individual who had a deep love of animals, especially horses. In her late 30’s she acquired her first horse when her mother knew someone who wanted to give their horse away to a good home. Anyone involved with horses knows that there is no such thing as a ‘free’ horse. Mickey was the beginning of a new lifestyle for Chris. Eventually, Chris and her husband Michael built a horse boarding and training facility in Sherwood, Oregon. Chris competed in dressage, jumping and eventing, but mostly she just wanted to be around horses and other animals. Throughout her life she cared for and loved over a dozen dogs and countless cats, not counting the strays that she found homes for.

In addition to equestrian activities, Chris loved downhill sking, watercolor painting and traveling with her husband in their Airstream trailer.

Chris attended Laurelhurst Elementary School in Portland, and she spent most of her high school years at Summerhill School in England while her mother attended medical school in Maryland. Upon her return to the United States, she earned a BS degree in Geology at Portland State University where she also worked as a teaching assistant. After gaining several years of experience working as a geotechnical engineer, she returned to school at Texas A&M University to work on a Ph.D. degree in Geotechnical Engineering.

Chris’ professional career included a wide range of experiences. She was a team leader at the Basalt Isolation Project at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland, Washington. She conducted numerous site investigations and monitored construction at many projects in the Pacific Northwest including construction of the Satsop Nuclear Plants in Elma, Washington. Chris and her husband Michael founded Earth Dynamics and worked together on many geophysical field studies and rock testing projects.

A funeral will be held on November 29th, at 11 AM at Ahavai Shalom Cemetery Chapel, located at 9323 SW First Avenue, Portland, Oregon. No flowers please. Contributions in her memory can be made to Forward Stride at www.forwardstride.org or to an animal welfare organization of your choice.