Celebration of Life for Chris Turletes

It is with great sadness that we share that Chris Turletes passed away on July 21 following a hard-fought battle with cancer. He retired in 2017 after 14 years with UAA, much of that time as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities and Campus Services. Following his retirement, he was granted Staff Emeritus status. He was also an alum with the College of Engineering, having received his Master’s in Engineering & Sciences Management in 1989. Chris was an avid fan of Seawolf Athletics and regularly donated his time and money to UAA.

During his tenure Chris had a significant hand in 40% of UAA’s built environment, including the additions of: ANSEP, EBL, CPISB, East Parking Garage and amenities building, HSB, AAC, EIB, realignment of Mallard Lane, Engineering Parking Garage, Mat-Su’s Glenn Massay Theater, and Process Technology and Housing facilities in Kenai. He also oversaw full renovations of several buildings, including BMH, AHS, NSB, and ECB.

Chris was deeply concerned about the impact of UAA’s physical growth on the natural environment. He adopted the No Net Tree Loss policy, which requires the institution to replace trees removed due to construction. By his retirement, UAA had planted over 20,000 seedlings on UA System land throughout Southcentral Alaska.

There is a Celebration of Life at Bayshore Clubhouse, 3131 Amber Bay Loop in Anchorage, on Wednesday, Aug. 4 starting at 5 p.m. His family asks that only those who are fully vaccinated attend.

Prior to his passing Chris asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to UAA's Excellence in Facilities and Campus Services or Excellence in Engineering funds through the University Of Alaska Foundation.

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