Obituary

Dr. Christopher Carl Cron

August 26, 1953 - May 6, 2011

Louisville lost one of its most dedicated and caring professionals in the field of dentistry on Friday, the 6^th of May with the passing of Dr. Christopher Cron. After a four-month battle with renal cancer, Chris passed away surrounded by his loving wife of 35 years, his two children and members of his immediate family.

Chris was born in Columbus, OH to Dr. William and Patricia Cron on August 26, 1953. He was a 1971 graduate of Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. In keeping with the tradition established by his paternal grandmother, Edna Loree Cron, and his father, William James Cron, Chris pursued undergraduate studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where he was a brother of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Chris graduated from Indiana in 1976 along with Rita Ann McLinden, his college sweetheart and fiancée. Chris and Rita were married in May of 1977 while Chris completed his doctorate in dental surgery at Indiana University.

Chris set up practices in general dentistry in Atlanta, GA and Odon, Indiana before settling with his family in Louisville, KY. While in Louisville, Chris earned his professional degree in Prosthodontics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995. After several years teaching in the Graduate Prosthodontics Residency Program at the University of Louisville, Chris founded the Renew Institute with his business partner and former student Dr. Mark Nation of Louisville. Chris continued to care for patients at the Renew Institute until his illness was diagnosed in December of 2010.

Dr. Cron was a member of the Louisville Dental Society, American College of Prosthodontics, Derby City Fly Fishers, Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers and St. Aloysius Catholic Church. In May 2011, the Louisville Dental Society honored Dr. Cron with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedicated contributions to the community. Chris’ professional life was one of patience, integrity and compassion. The many lives he touched are a testament to the great joy he found in helping others. One of Chris’ final acts of giving was his gift as a Kentucky organ donor.

Chris was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Among his many joys, Chris loved his family, fly fishing, IU sports, gardening, his Siamese cats, blueberry pie, cooking, and watching his daughter play volleyball and his son play baseball. He was also a true outdoorsman, who shared many a fishing expedition with family and friends.

Chris is survived by his wife Rita Ann Cron; children Courtney Chartier Cron and Kyle William Cron; mother Patricia Cron of Bloomington, IN; sister Cathy Hines (Greg) of Georgetown, IN; brother Andrew Cron (Tina) of Bloomington, IN; eleven nieces and nephews, and his three Siamese cats, Little Dude, Fat Cat, and Sam. Chris was preceded in death by his father, Dr. William James Cron, who passed away six weeks ago on March 24^th, 2011.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Christopher C. Cron will be held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church on Saturday, May 14^th at 10:30 am. A gathering will follow mass in the church hall. Memorial contributions are welcome in the form of flowers or donations to Hospice of Louisville and the American Cancer Society.