Chris Bolgen of Sedro-Woolley, Washington passed away peacefully in the morning of November 9, 2025 at the age of 75.  Chris was born in November 1949 in Stockholm, Sweden to Christian S. Bolgen and Marianne B. Bolgen.  He came to the U.S. in 1952 and spent his early years in Poquonock Bridge, CT, and then Lynn and Stoneham, MA.  Beyond schooling and generally growing up, Chris spent his early years honing his ability to build, restore, operate, break, and repair just about anything.  His skill at working with his hands was applied to model trains, cars, and planes, and full scale bicycles, minibikes, go-carts, boats, motorcycles, and automobiles.  When Chris needed something, like a bookcase or a bench for his photo studio, he simply built it.  And it was a beautiful piece of work.

As a young adult, Chris became an accomplished photographer.  Starting off with his father's old cameras, he advanced quickly and found work with a commercial photographer in Boston.  But his interests aligned more with photography as art.  This led Chris and his partner, Kerry to build, from scratch of course, a studio workshop in Melrose, MA.  In addition to providing photography services, they planned and delivered workshops on basic and advanced photography techniques.

Chris's longtime interest in aviation blossomed in the 1990s when he lived in Washington state and worked in the local aircraft industry.  He was always content to build and fly model "radio control" planes from the ground but, while in Washington, also obtained his pilot's rating for single engine aircraft.

Chris was less settled in his later years, alternating between West Coast and East Coast locations.  Wherever he was, it was always especially fun for the younger set to visit and partake in some backyard car racing, or flying, or a quick trip to a New Hampshire ski area.  He will always be remembered for his patience with novice drivers or flyers.  "Don't worry, let's head down to the basement and we'll patch that right up!"

Chris is survived by his brothers, Nils Bolgen and his wife, Patricia of Foxborough, MA; Stig Bolgen and his wife, Claudia of Woburn, MA; nephew, Kurt and his wife, Laura; nieces, Dana Florin and her husband, Matthew and Lisa and her partner, Jon; grand nieces, Rosalie and Emily, and grand nephews, Jack, Henrik and Colin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Susan Bolgen; brother, Erik Bolgen.

Chris's final resting place is Camano Lutheran Cemetery on Camano Island, WA.  A private remembrance gathering for family and friends will be held on March 15, 2026 in the Boston area.

Share your memories of Chris and sign the online guest register.