Christopher Prout (Chris) passed away suddenly on July 3rd 2023, at the age of 63. Born March 11, 1960 in Evanston, Illinois, he was the son of the late Franklin and Joan (Nee Schaefer) Prout of Park Ridge, Ill. He is survived by his aunt, Sister Joan Mary Schaefer (SP) and his siblings, Bill (Michelle) Prout, Kathleen (Guido) von Aulock, Mary (Vince) Bojan, Timothy (Carol) Prout, Andrea (the late Christian) Hug, and Gregory (Pam) Prout.
He was especially fond of his nieces and nephews Philip (Natasha) von Aulock, Alexandra von Aulock (Rene’), Benedikt (Kirsten) von Aulock, Stefan von Aulock, Dominic von Aulock, Andras (Rachel) von Aulock, Janos von Aulock, Antonia (Patrick) Windle, Christiana and Maria von Aulock, Monica (Elias) Hessler, Jonathan and Michaela Bojan, Ethan Prout, Laura and Steven Prout, Carolyn (Rohit) Sehgal, Joseph and Thomas Prout, Kelsey (AC Stokes), Courtney (Erica) and Daniel (Natalie) Hug. He will be sorely missed by cousins, extended family, and close friends.
Christopher earned his Bachelor’s in Communication and later a Master’s in Education. from DePaul University. Christopher worked as a journalist, Park Ranger in several National Parks, driving instructor, and more recently as a teacher and tutor. A passionate educator, his desire to serve his students was evident. In particular, Christopher had a gift for remembering what it was like to be a teenager. He was engaged and authentic with his students, knowing how to meet them where they were at. Also formative in his life was his faith, which he lived out as a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Des Plaines.
In September of 1993, he began to attend Alcoholics Anonymous. From that time on, he faithfully worked the 12 steps and through daily prayer and the support of the AA community, he retained his sobriety until the day he died. He will be lovingly remembered by family & friends. Heaven is blessed with a soul who made the best of the challenges he faced. Christopher was faithful, kind, generous, and an example of the redemptive potential of a relationship with God.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 28, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at 1530 White St. Des Plaines, IL 60018. A Celebration of Life (Mass) for Christopher will be held Friday, July 28, 2023 at 4:00 pm at St. Mary’s, 794 Pearson St, Des Plaines, Illinois 60016.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Christopher’s name to the Sisters of Providence: https://spsmw.org/donate/ or the National Parks Conservation Association: www.npca.org
