Obituary of Christian Pierre Courard

Christian Pierre Courard, 73, of Reston, VA, beloved husband of Marie Courard, passed away at Reston Hospital Center on Tuesday, the 6th of September, 2016, after a five-year battle with cancer. Chris is lovingly remembered by his wife Marie; his four daughters, Frédérique Courard-Hauri (husband, David Courard-Hauri), Hélène Courard (husband, Christopher Durso), Christine Courard (husband, Joshua Potter), Elizabeth Marlatt (husband, Todd Marlatt); and his eight grandchildren, Kayleigh and Julianna Courard-Hauri, Isabella and Evelyn Courard-Durso, Tristan and Caroline Potter, and Logan and Hayden Marlatt. Born on April 2, 1943 in Liège, Belgium, he was the son of the late Mathilde Brayeur and the late Pierre Courard. Chris spent his childhood in Africa, and returned to Belgium to study at the Ecole Supérieure de Radio-Navigation and to join the Belgian Merchant Marines. He served as a radio and satellite communications officer, then as a reserve officer for the Belgian Navy. After his service, Chris worked in maritime communications sales, a field which he helped in its evolution to advanced satellite technology. His career brought him and his family to the United States in 1973, where he completed another engineering degree at Saint Peter’s University in New Jersey. Until his death, he continued to serve the industry’s growth as a consultant and advisor. Chris loved spending time with his family and the international travel he undertook in his work. He was happiest when able to combine the two. He confronted his illness with the same humor and bravery with which he faced all of the other challenges in his life, and with a determination to enjoy the precious time left to him. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2016 at Adams Green Funeral Home in Herndon, VA. A celebration of his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2016, also at Adams Green Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.