Paul Christie Setzler, 84, died Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Chris loved sailboats, woodworking, fishing, being outdoors and his family (including the four-legged ones). He also enjoyed inventing, creating, drawing and designing.

Born in Cleveland, he graduated high school in Hamilton, Ohio, served in the Navy on the carrier USS Randolph, and then graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.

Chris worked as an engineer for firms in Connecticut and New York, developing and patenting products. One was the "Spinserter," which was honored by the editors of Industrial Design in 1968 and displayed at the Smithsonian Institute.

However, Chris didn't like corporate politics and ultimately decided that the only person he wanted to work for was himself.

He became a fine woodworker, making furniture, especially in the styles of Shaker and Queen Anne. He also built houses, using post-and-beam construction.

He married Susan Tooker, and they as well as several of their kids moved to Noxon, Mont., and ultimately settled in Pulaski County, Va.

They were featured in the local newspaper for Chris' woodworking, Susan's large organic gardens, and the post-and-beam house Chris built by himself. Both the house and his workshop were designed for wood and solar heat. He made furniture prototypes for Pulaski Furniture and fulfilled custom orders. He often operated on the barter system, trading custom pieces for legal, doctor or dental fees. He started several businesses, including Little Creek Stoves (woodstoves) and Copperwood Furniture (from cherry wood and copper pipe fittings). For fun, he built a kit car and a remote-controlled airplane, which crashed more than it flew. In "retirement," he built a wooden sailboat.

Chris and Susan moved to Gloucester County in 2009, and two years later were blown out of the house when it was hit by a tornado.

Chris also survived three strokes, which limited his mobility and forced him to quit woodworking. He was an early adopter of computers, though, and continued to design using CAD programs.

It was the fourth stroke that finally stopped Chris.

Chris is survived by his wife, Susan; his children, Troy Amastar, Christopher Setzler, Robin McCormick (and Sylvia Duhon) and Mike McCormick (and Johnny Porrazzo); grandchildren Amber Greene, Sam McCormick, John Michael McCormick and Justin Setzler; and great-grandchildren Riley, Oliver and Leia.

Chris didn't want a traditional service, but the family will gather this weekend to tell stories and share a toast or two. Friends can stop by Robin's home Friday, March 29, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., or Susan's home Saturday, March 30, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Those who wish to make a donation in his honor, please consider Abingdon Volunteer Fire & Rescue, https://www.avfr.com , who was always there when he needed them.