In Memoriam: Kris Belinte Chee

Words: Dan KamysIn Memoriam: Kris Belinte Chee

Kris Belinte Chee died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014.  Kris graduated from the AMCA Apprenticeship Program in 2001 and, since that time, regularly volunteered his Saturdays to work with apprentices and assisted with various apprenticeship community service projects throughout the years. 

Kris was a regular competitor in local masonry competitions, including the Arizona's Fastest Trowel Competition on the Block and the Bricklayer 500. 

Kris represented Arizona many times on the winners' podium during the MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition held during the World of Concrete/World of Masonry Convention including:

  • 2014 - 2nd Place
  • 2012 - 3rd Place
  • 2011 - 1st Place
  • 2010 - 1st Place
  • 2009 - 3rd Place

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Belinte Chee Family during this difficult time.

Hot This Time of Year
July 2026

Yes, summer is hot; that is just how it is. Summer heat can have effects on many things, and as I get older, I realize there is usually something I can do to tolerate the hot days. We all know the obvious, and I am sure every one of us has that person who

Steve Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More
The Walls We Build
July 2026

As masons, we spend our careers building walls. We build them with brick, block, stone, and mortar, and we take pride in making them straight, strong, and built to last. But over the years, I’ve learned there is another kind of wall we build—the walls we

Kent Huntley
Chairman’s Message
Read More
Owen Heimbach
July 2026

This month, the MCAA had the pleasure of speaking with SkillsUSA First Place Winner Owen Heimbach, a young mason just starting out whose enthusiasm for bricklaying is truly contagious. His passion for the craft was evident throughout our interview.

Justin Stengel
GEN NXT
Read More
Backfill Your Foundation
July 2026

I’ve been noticing an uptick in a very specific kind of application lately, and once you see the pattern, you can’t unsee it. The résumé usually reads like a family photo album. “Started helping my dad when I was 15.” “Worked summers, then full time.” “R

Corey Adams
Building More
Read More