In Memoriam

It is with great regret and sadness that Connections announces the loss of two beloved staff members, Mike Kriner and Chris Sturmfels. Mike and Chris were involved in a fatal car accident on February 25, 2010, while they were working. Our hearts go out to the family members of Mike and Chris, and they are in our thoughts and prayers. Connections would like to recognize these two special individuals and share with you the contributions they made in the social services sector and in the world of mental health and substance use treatment.

Chris Sturmfels
was one of the backbones of Connections. Chris joined Connections in 2001 as a counselor in the organization’s outpatient department. He built Connections’ practices in both Middletown and Smyrna, where there had previously been no substance abuse services, before becoming the Director of Alcohol and Other Drug Services. Chris was a certified alcohol and drug counselor, but he was a renaissance man with many interests. The most important thing in Chris’s life was his family—his wife Kingsley Simendinger and his son, Beck. Chris was a humble man who did not promote himself, but he was one of the best things that ever happened to Connections. Chris held native American spiritual beliefs, and in his tradition, he has ‘moved on.’ But Connections will never forget him.

Mike Kriner
worked for more than 20 years in Delaware in both the mental health and substance abuse fields. He had most recently been the Executive Director of the Gateway Foundation’s residential substance abuse treatment facility in Delaware City before joining Connections in January 2010, as Director of Clinical Services. Mike was a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed chemical dependency professional, a certified alcohol and drug counselor, and a certified trainer of motivational interviewing. He was on the faculty of Delaware State University in the social work program. Mike was a family man, devoted to his wife Carmen and their three children, Felicia, Liam and Daniel. Connections had high hopes for what Mike would be able to do for the organization, its staff and clients, and we are devastated by his loss and the loss of such great potential.

Contributions and Donations

For those wishing to make contributions and donations to the families, there are three funds that have been set up:

The Beck Sturmfels Educational Trust
Contributions and donations can be made payable to The Beck Sturmfels Educational Trust, c/o PNC Bank, 460 West Main Street, Middletown, DE 19709.

Michael T. Kriner Education Fund (for his children)
Contributions and donations can be made to the Michael T. Kriner Education Fund at any WSFS Bank.

Christopher Sturmfels and Michael Kriner Memorial Fund
This has been established by Connections to support the education of the children of Chris and Mike; to provide education scholarships for those wanting to study to become counselors or social workers in the substance abuse and mental health field; and to provide support toward the programs and program areas of Connections with which Chris and Mike worked. Contributions and donations can be made payable to the Christopher Sturmfels and Michael Kriner Memorial Fund, c/o Delaware Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899. Donations can also be made online at www.delcf.org, by clicking the Make a Donation button and entering the name of the memorial fund.