Christopher Scott Hay
Christopher Scott Hay came into this world on August 7, 1960, in Ottawa, KS and passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 10, 2025, at his home in Lincoln, NE surrounded by his loving family. Chris’s passing leaves an unfillable void in the lives of those to whom Chris poured his life story into. His devotion to life and his loved ones, displayed even while courageously battling metastatic kidney cancer, exemplified the man of strength and character that defines Chris Hay.
To know Chris was to know excitement, curiosity, complex thought, adventure and laughter. His penchant for fun and levity was infectious. Chris always made you smile. He was the consummate storyteller - a man with insatiable thirst for knowledge and humor that never failed to brighten a room. Chris loved life, and everyone could feel it.
Chris was a true renaissance man - trying his hand at countless things, mastering many. He was a Learjet pilot (Royal Air), a Certified Flight Instructor (Capital Aviation and Silver Hawk), a National Reserves Guardsman (Broadcast Journalist); earned an Associates Degree in Pre-Physical Therapy (Hutchinson Community College), a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education (Bethany College), a Degree Equivalency in Communications/Media (Fort Hays State University), pursued Graduate Studies in Exercise Physiology and Communications (Fort Hays State University); Chris was likewise a fine artist, an avid photographer, a skilled playwriter, a dot.com domainer, an exhaustive historian, a relentless researcher, an engaging orator, a prolific writer, an aficionado of nostalgia, an accomplished baseball player, a dauntless gymnast, a long-ball golfer, a dog whisperer, an attentive gardener, an outdoors enthusiast, an unquenchable adventurist. Chris was a lover of all things Classic - music, art, movies, history, architecture, geography, education, and Holy Scripture.
Most importantly, Chris was a doting husband, an adoring father, an amazing grandfather, a beloved son, a terrific brother, a faithful friend, a dog’s best friend, and a man of God.
Chris leaves behind his beloved wife of 32 years, Michelle Hay; his daughters Madison Exstrom (son-inlaw Dylan Exstrom) and Katherine Hay; his two grandchildren. Ledger Exstrom and Charlotte Exstrom; his father Robert Hay; his sister Kimberly Hay; and his brother, Douglas Hay (sister-in-law Michele Hay). Chris was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Hay; and his nephew, Jason Hay.
A Celebration of Life for Christopher “Chris” Hay will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Wilderness Ridge, 1800 Wilderness Woods Place, in Lincoln, Nebraska, where we will honor and cherish the precious life of our beloved Chris. Honorary Pall Bearers: Doug Hay (brother), Mark Walter (friend), Dylan Exstrom (sonin- law).
Memorials are suggested to Capital Humane Society, Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Voices of Hope.