Christopher David Forristal, 48

Christopher David Forristal passed away on July 14, 2026, in Whitefish, at the age of 48. He was born Dec. 24, 1977, in Salina, Kansas, to Dave Forristal and Alice Lively (Kimsey). 

Chris was raised in Colorado and graduated from high school in Idaho Springs. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Colorado College in Colorado Springs and a master’s degree in wildlife biology at Montana State University in Bozeman. While in graduate school, he met his wife, Victoria Patrek. Together, they moved to Whitefish, Montana, and married in Glacier National Park in 2011. Their son, Hayden, was born in 2014 and their daughter, Hadley, was born in 2016.

Chris loved all things outdoors —  he enjoyed fishing trips with his friends, hunting for big game, and was always ready for a ski day on Big Mountain. Most of all, Chris loved his wife and kids; they were his everything. They enjoyed at least one family vacation each year across the country. Chris cherished the time spent with his many friends.

For nearly 17 years, Chris worked for the Department of Natural Resources (DNRC) as a wildlife biologist. He was well-liked and respected throughout the agency, and his co-workers became a second family.

Chris bravely faced ALS for the last nine and a half years, and handled this devastating disease with grace, fortitude and gratitude.

Funeral Mass services will be held on Wednesday, July 22, at St. Charles Boromeo, Whitefish, at 12:15 p.m. The celebration of life will be held at Grouse Mountain Lodge on Saturday, July 25 at 3 p.m.

He is survived by wife, Vicki; children, Hayden and Hadley; father, Dave Forristal; mother and stepfather Alice and Doug Lively; father and mother-in-law, Bill and Irene Patrek; as well as brother Sean Forristal and sister-in-law Mary (Eric) Ehrhardt. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.