Christopher John (Chris) Adams

My sincere condolences to Laurie and Stephen and their families your friends and colleagues. Chris was a rare person and a dear friend. We shared our love of art, horticulture and cooking. I always appreciated your visits to Kaitangata and our garden wander. Your style and approach to life was a great inspiration to me. ...may the zircons be with you with my love and respect always Anne-Marie

My deepest condolences to the Adams family. I have very fond memories of Chris. I first met him through a gallery and it was always such a delight to see his latest consignment of mezzotints and talk about his recent travels and interests. A kind and generous soul, he will be warmly remembered.

Although I knew Dr. Adams only briefly, his erudition and cultivation left a lasting impression. His brilliant contributions to our knowledge of how the planet works will endure, perhaps for as long as geological time!

I first met Chris in 1970 when I was teaching with his then wife ,Jennie, in Upper Hutt. We spent many happy trips in the mountains together over the following years. Russell and I will miss his frequent trips staying with us in Twizel and Christchurch. We shared a love of travel and had visited many of the same places, including the Chatham Islands and Australia. Our deepest sympathy to Stephen and Laurie and their families. I know Chris was very proud of them all and loved his annual visits with them in England and Tasmania.

My wife Susan Peacock and I went on the 2024 Chatham Islands excursion Trip 2, an excellent trip well-led by Hamish Campbell and Chris Adams. That was the last Chatham Islands trip that Chris was on. We consider ourselves lucky to have had the opportunity to meet Chris. He was a gentleman of great knowledge, especially in geology, and was ready to share his knowledge with all who were keen to learn. He tempered his teaching with a wry sense of humour enjoyed by all of us. We were saddened by news of his death and offer our condolences to his family. He will always be remembered affectionately by us.

Rick Sibson and Francesca Ghisetti are both saddened by Chris’ departure. We admired his personality and his groundbreaking and innovative work that has shed a new light on New Zealand Geology. We will miss a good friend and dear colleague. Please pass our sincere condolences to his family.

It has been a sad week here at 'GNS' or whoever we now may be. I send my deep condolences to Chris's family, his colleagues and all his many friends. Chris was a very dear and totally dedicated colleague, particularly helping me comprehend the geology of Antarctica and the intricacies of the formation of our taonga pounamu. We shared memorable field adventures in South Westland with Te Runanga o Makaawhio and in North Westland with Ngati Waewae. Although he carried the persona of a pre-occupied scientist and formal Englishman, it took little time for people from all walks of life to warm to Chris and develop respect for his exceptional knowledge of New Zealand geology, deep appreciation of the landscape and artistry. He leaves a legacy in NZ Science that is second to none. Dear Chris you are sorely missed already. .....and the mountains are wringing tears out of the northwest sky. 'Travel well dear friend' .... wherever that may be. Simon :(

My sincere condolences to the Adams family. Chris was my landlord for a couple of years in the mid 2010s. I still think of him regularly as he was so kind and such a gentleman - his knowledge about so many things and his demeanour really stuck with me. An absolute loss.

My condolences to Chris's family and friends. The world has lost a gentle, intelligent and talented man. I was fortunate to go on one of the trips that Chris led to the Chathams. It changed my life and impacts my practice to this day. RIP Chris, friend of the earth.

I first met Chris soon after he arrived in New Zealand in 1969, and in the succeeding years we had many geological field trips together, especially on the West Coast. In his career he made a major contribution to our understanding of New Zealand geology and geochronology. I remember Chris as a genial and interesting colleague and companion. My sympathy to Stephen and Laurie – he was very proud of you.

It is with great sadness that I am sending Chris’s family Marc’s and my sincere condolences. The very sudden worsening of his illness was a great shock to us. He was a wonderful friend: I truly enjoyed an excursion to the Chathams with him and valued his friendship greatly. He was a kind and intelligent person who was a tremendously gifted artist and a lover of the arts. I had fantastic conversations with him about art, his travels and bike rides. I heard much about his sons and their families, of whom he was very proud. My deepest sympathy goes out to them at their loss.