Christopher 'Kit' Miniclier

Kit (Christopher) Carver Miniclier was born in Chicago, Illinois. He moved often, growing up, and spoke fondly of living in Sausalito, CA and Munich, Germany. 

He graduated from Dickinson College in 1957, where he was news editor for the weekly college paper. He started his career working as a copy boy for the Washington Post. This led to being a court reporter – photographer for the Northern Virginia Sun. In 1960 he became a freelance  writer-photographer and correspondent in Africa, which led to his 17 year tenure with the Associated Press (AP). 

He was responsible for covering Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia and French Somaliland during his initial post in Nairobi, Kenya. While covering political, cultural, economic developments he interviewed/ photographed Jomo Kenyatta, Hailee Selassie, archbishop Makarios, Idi Amin, and George & Joy Adamson, to name a few. He broke the story of Pope Paul VI’s visit to Africa (first reigning pope to visit Africa). His next assignment was a Bureau Chief in Cairo, Egypt in the early 1970’s. Some of the work from those years included being on the front lines of the Arab Israeli war, meeting with Anwar Sadat, and covering the Philae Temples/ pyramid excavation. His final assignment for the AP was in 1978, when he was the first American news agency journalist to receive a working visa to the People’s Republic of China. 

For the next 26 years he worked for the Denver Post. He was a staff writer, regional editor and was recognized for his work as “Western Profiles”.  His work highlighted stories and people all over the west, including ranchers, miners, one-room-schoolhouse teachers, saddle makers, and firefighters in Yellowstone, to name a few. He even spent a night in Colorado’s supermax prison.

He married the love of his life, Olga in 1963. They met 2 years prior on a train in Rome, and corresponded by letter, as she lived in Europe and he was in the US. She lived and travelled with him throughout his career, always welcoming new adventures. They enjoyed canoeing in the boundary waters of Minnesota, exploring/living in northern New Mexico, and hosting & visiting friends. He was a devoted dad to their daughter, Nadia. 

Kit loved being ‘Opa’ to Ian and Andy. He continued to win at most checkers games, always had a pun or hilarious commentary, and enjoyed family time. He was able to spend a lovely Thanksgiving with his family (Nadia, Matt, Andy, Ian and Miki), and as always he enjoyed his martini and feeding the furry family carrots. 

He greatly enjoyed his sisters’ (Shelley and Lynn) and nieces’ (Rhea) visits, and staying in touch with friends and colleagues all over the world.

Kit’s ability to connect with anyone, anywhere, anytime was remarkable. His wry sense of humor, quick wit, curiosity and generous heart touched many lives. He will be greatly missed. 

We are so grateful for the amazing ‘family’ at The Grand, the hospice team at Canyon’s Home Health & Hospice and One Wish, Utah.

In lieu of flowers please consider donation to the All for Lunch Organization (allforlunch.org) – eliminating school lunch debt and fighting against childhood food insecurity.