Born in Lexington in 1944, Chris grew up smart, curious, and just mischievous enough to keep life interesting. He studied at the Putney School, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UCLA, then dove into film and TV — directing “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams” and a few indie projects before deciding mountain life (and fewer producers) suited him better.

Chris wasn’t just creative — he was restless. He helped refugees escape Cambodia in the 1970s, then later, with his partner Pat, designed and built their home (turret included). Together they filled it with handmade furniture, art and plenty of dogs. He also played a mean game of chess, hustled online poker with suspicious skill, and was happiest with a book in his hand and a project underway.

He leaves behind his partner, Pat West; her children, Cunninghame, Robin and Valen West; his brother, Robert Munger III, and Bob’s sons, Robert Munger IV and Spencer Fransway; his sister, Sally Mann, and her daughters, Jessie and Virginia Mann; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Munger II and Elizabeth Munger; his nephews, Emmett Mann and Dylan Fransway; and his stepdaughter, Tyree West.

A celebration of life will be held Nov. 1 on his favorite stretch of the New River. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a local dog shelter in honor of Chris’s lifelong love of dogs.

He built things that lasted, told stories worth hearing, and left the world funnier, sharper and kinder than he found it. Not a bad run. NG