Dr. Christopher F. Penka
May 1, 1949 - March 12, 2024
Dr. Christopher F. Penka (74) passed away in Salt Lake City, UT on March 12, 2024 after a long struggle with dementia and associated illness. While we are saddened to lose him, we hope he has found peace and rest from his suffering.
Dr. Penka was born in Ohio in 1949 to Dr. Ernest and Selena Penka and he had one younger sibling, his brother Thomas. His family moved to Southern California and he graduated from Loyola High School in Los Angeles, CA in 1967 and attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Following in his father’s footsteps, Dr. Penka pursued a medical degree, graduating from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Mexico in 1977. While in Mexico, he met his wife, Soledad, who he married in 1979. He and Soledad came to the USA where he continued his training, first in Detroit, MI, and then at the University of Utah for his residency in Neurological Surgery. During their time in Utah, Dr. Penka and Soledad had their two children, Corinne and Christopher. Dr. Penka worked as a private practice neurosurgeon for over twenty years, first in Las Cruces, NM then in Ogden, UT at McKay Dee Hospital. He was dedicated to his profession and was an incredibly intelligent and talented surgeon. He provided for his family and, while he’d try to hide it, he was a goofball and did not shy away from being silly outside of the operating room.
Dr. Penka was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. His memory will live on in his immediate and extended family: his wife, Soledad, his children, Corinne and Christopher, his son-in-law and daughter-in-law, Matt and Olivia, and his grandchildren, Semalu, Marisol, and Strider.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 11:00 AM, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 2315 E Redondo Ave, Salt Lake City. He will be laid to rest following Mass at, Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U St. Salt Lake City.
In Loving Memory
Dear Sol, Chris, Corrine & entire family, My sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. Penka to eternal life, may he rest in the peace of Jesus Christ. My prayers for you during these difficult days, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary bring you comfort and consolation as you grieve your loss. With Love Through Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Connie Gallegos OCDS
Dear Soli, Corinne and Christopher, I was saddened to hear of Chris' passing and remember him as such a smart and clever child. My thoughts are with you all. Love, Aunt Elaine
Dear Soli, We are so sorry to hear about Chris's passing. I know he went through a lot in these last years. God bless you, your kids, and grandkids. We are thinking about you.
Sol, Corinne, & Chris, Wishing you peace and comfort in these difficult days. We have many fond memories of Chris and we will always treasure them. Much love.
I so enjoyed working in the operating room with Dr. Penka. He was such a brilliant and amazing surgeon. I thought I would add a couple of pictures and show his goofy side. God bless his family and may he rest in peace ��
Chris loomed larger than life for me when I first met him as a medical student in the 1980's. He was the neurosurgery resident over us, and he seemed to know everything. So many years later we worked as colleagues, and then partners. He was still larger than life, SO smart, and SO funny. He could make me laugh like no one else. Some people who did not understand him made his life difficult in the end. How unfortunate. And unnecessary. I will always remember his joy and wit. RIP Chris!!
Dear Sol and family, So sorry for your loss. You were a decicated wife to the end. May you find peace and comfort during this sad time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Take care God Bless Margaret and Carl your Holy Family friends.
Deepest condolences to Soledad, Corinne and “Little Chris”. We remember Christopher Penka as a model of abiding faith and brotherly love. In his brighest days he was an esteemed and brilliant neurosurgical colleague who could scream like the Wicked Witch from the Wizzard of Oz, sing like Ethel Merman, and render an Oscar-worthy performance of the monlogue of General Patton to rival that of George C, Scott. He was the greatest fan of the Four Freshmen that we ever knew. He savored la comida mexicana even more than a plate of chicken paprikash and welcomed us so often to your home to share much joy with each of you when were together in Las Cruces. We shall keep his wonderful presence etched in our souls with so many cherished memories forever.
I decided to Google Chris just now and was sad to hear that he had recently passed away. I knew Chris when he was a neurosurgery resident and I was a medical student at the University of Utah. Chris made my neurosurgery rotation an enjoyable and fun experience. He treated me as a colleague rather than the underling that I was. I had always hoped to run into him again and renew old memories....Chris may you rest in peace. You were a wonderful human being. I will never forget how how respectfully and colleagially you treated me.
In Loving Memory
