Dahl, Christopher "Kit" T.  78

How do you honor such a rich, varied and accomplished life as Kit's? From pheasant hunting in the fields of South Dakota to sport fishing in the waters of Costa Rica, hiking in the Himalayas to boating with family in the Arctic Ocean, Kit lived big.

Born on September 27, 1943 to David and Susan Barbara Smith Dahl, Kit died peacefully in his home in Wayzata by the side of his beloved wife Deb Hopp on Thursday February 3, 2022.

Kit found his joy in relationship with those people who interested, challenged and returned his affection. His collection of close friends was immense and the connections he forged were deeply felt. Thoughtful, strategic, challenging in both business and personal relationships, he did not readily accept the easy answer, always probing for insights and evaluating risk. "Never make a move until you know your next two," he always said.

After graduating from Saint Louis Park High School and the University of Minnesota, Kit began his career at Knox Reeves advertising where he worked on the Hamm's beer account, proud to have come up with the Relief Pitcher billboard. He was also first to suggest that the then-standard 60-second radio spot be bought as two 30s. But working for others was never going to work for Kit. He began buying businesses at the age of 24 and reinvented himself as an entrepreneur many times over, parlaying one business into another, including hair care, sewing notions, toys, photofinishing, broadcasting, commercial real estate and film production. Intelefilm won numerous Emmys and funded scholarships for young directors, many of whom are industry leaders today. He believed his greatest accomplishment was founding Radio Aahs, the first of its kind national Children's Radio network. He was the first in the U.S. to put a middle schooler on his board of directors and hired children as DJs, sports and entertainment reporters (including his son Cort) and consultants. Its listenership nationwide was in the millions. He was invited to join Young Presidents Organization in his mid-20s and the incredible bonds and profound friendships forged there were touchstones of his life. In addition to serving on numerous corporate boards throughout his career, Kit was an engaged and committed volunteer for a variety of initiatives at the University of Minnesota, where he and his wife recently co-chaired the $175 million capital campaign and helped launch the Public Life Project to help students bridge polarizing influences. He recently completed a long tenure on the Abbott Northwestern Foundation Board and was thoroughly enjoying his time on boards of the Minneapolis Heart Institute and TPT, where he co-chaired their recent strategic planning work. His sons Chris and Cort and their children were his great pride and he faithfully supported their divergent paths and pursuits while sharing their plans and achievements with all who would listen.His greatest loss is to be unable to see what spectacular lives his grandchildren will lead, regarding them both as two of the most amazing people he ever knew.

He began his spiritual life as an acolyte at St. Marks Cathedral, which his family attended in his youth, but in the end was drawn more to Buddhist meditation. He met the Dalai Lama and spent time with Buddhist monks, always searching for an interesting topic of conversation and new ideas to explore. The true home of his spirit, however, was the family island in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota with its whispering pines, dark waters and soulful sunsets. It was there in the cabin he rebuilt where he nurtured his closest friendships and enjoyed the love of family until the end of his life.

Survived by his wife Deborah Hopp, sons Chris, Jr. (Zhanna) and Cortland (Kasumi), stepdaughters Leslie Hopp (Travis Borth) and Deven Hopp, his sister Debby Dahl Edwardson (George), two grandchildren, C.J. and Ava, with a third on the way whose arrival he will sadly miss, his dear friend and deal partner Dick Perkins and his lifelong friend Bill Cameron, who died two years to the day before him. He often joked about his many medical adventures and mis-adventures over the years. He survived cancer eight years ago but in the end, it was his big and generous heart that took this complicated and cherished individual from us.

A celebration of the life of Christopher T. Dahl will be held on Wednesday, February 9 at 3 PM, Interlachen Country Club. Memorials preferred to the Minneapolis Heart Institute, College of Liberal Arts Public Life Project and TPT.



Current photo of Kit published in Mpls Star & Tribune Obituary.

Published on February 6, 2022