In Loving Memory of Chris Vetick: A Champion of Trees
April 5, 1959 – July 9, 2023
With heavy hearts, we remember and honor Christopher Leonard Vetick, a remarkable individual who dedicated much of his life to the preservation and expansion of the urban forest here in Washington, DC. Chris was a cherished member of DC’s environmental spaces, leaving behind a lasting legacy of stewardship and a profound impact on the community he served.
For over a decade, Chris wholeheartedly embraced his role as a long-time volunteer and supporter of Casey Trees. As a project organizer, he exemplified unwavering commitment, leading tree plantings at Catholic University and throughout the greater community. Through his planning, hundreds, if not thousands of trees found their roots in the heart of DC, a living testament to his passion and dedication.
Chris was more than just a figurehead; he freely shared his vast knowledge and expertise – actively participating in tree planting workshops, sustainability efforts, and campaigns to protect our beloved urban forest. His contributions extended far beyond his immediate community; he became a champion for DC’s trees, an advocate for their significance, and a guardian of their future.
Those who had the privilege of working with Chris recall his infectious enthusiasm, his unwavering commitment to the urban forest, and his ability to inspire and unite others towards a shared purpose. Capitol Grounds and Arboretum Director Jim Kaufmann had these kind words to share, “Chris was not just a leader in Capitol Grounds and Arboretum and for the Architect of the Capitol, he was also a leader in the industry. He had a strong presence in several professional organizations and influenced the grounds management industry. He was a professional horticulturist and took pride in all of his work. He was a mentor to me and our team. He led our Service Level and Communities of Practice initiatives.
Chris supported all of our teams, but he was more than a boss. Teams looked to him in many ways. He is a rare find. People laughed and joked and always felt relaxed around Chris. He knew how to tackle tough situations but always found solutions. Chris was more than a coworker. He was a friend, he was our buddy and he will be so greatly missed by many.”
Kelly Geishauser, Director of Buildings & Grounds Maintenance at Catholic University, also reached out to share his sentiments. “We were extremely fortunate to have Chris Vetick as our friend, mentor and director for the Grounds and Fleet Maintenance Department at The Catholic University of America from 2000 through 2018.
Chris had such a tremendous and contagious enthusiasm for his work that he completely reinvented the department here. He was such a genuine leader. His positive and sincere attitude, along with an extremely hard work ethic, made you want to get to know him and seek his approval. After Chris shared his background as a military school cadet with me, it helped explain a little about how he attacked any issue as if he was in the Special Forces. He mapped out the campus and established a zone system with specific tasks and standards for work areas.
He would keep current with the industry and requisition new equipment for the department to increase efficiency. He introduced professional organizations and certifications to bring the department up to the professional level that is still ongoing today 5 years after he moved on to the Architect of the Capitol. Chris encouraged education in any field and led by example in that as well by receiving his degree from CU while working full time and raising a family. Incidentally, I know he was rightfully proud of his two amazing children that many of us got to know while they earned their degrees here as well.
I cannot emphasize enough about how Chris’ passion and tremendous knowledge of his trade impacted our lives and the campus here. There are so many people here that will always remember Chris, we truly and sadly miss him.”
Rest in peace, Chris. Your legacy as a guardian of DC’s trees will forever flourish in our hearts. Your work has ensured that future generations will continue to enjoy the shade, beauty, and grace of the urban forest you so passionately cared for.
