Robert G. Christensen

Robert Gifford Christensen October 22, 1928 – October 18, 2020

Bob (Chris) passed away Sunday, October 18, 2020, just in time to get the best seat in the house for the Packer game. Son of Harry and Gertrude Christensen, Bob grew up in the farmland surrounding Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where he attended high school before attending University of Wisconsin – Madison (his other favorite team). Bob worked for many years in the insurance industry for both American Mutual and Wausau Insurance. Later, he went to work for Case International in Racine until his retirement. It was then that he was able to devote more time to travel and spending time up North at the family’s lake house on White Lake. There, he and his wife Charlotte enjoyed many outdoor activities – cross country skiing, snowshoeing, boating, bike riding or just relaxing with friends and family. They were gracious hosts and always made everyone feel welcome.

Bob loved all types of vehicles – he enjoyed driving tractors as a kid on the farm, instructing fellow Marines in tanks in Hawaii, taking long car trips with the family, piloting the pontoon boat or taking the controls of his son-in-law’s airplane. He loved to drive and he and Charlotte enjoyed their trips to many national parks across the country as well as annual summer vacations to Longboat Key, Florida. He enjoyed biking – he even rode 70 miles on his 70th birthday. He also played golf and never let his playing interfere with his enjoyment of the game.

A farm boy at heart, Bob loved digging in the dirt so you often found him doing yard work or gardening. His domain was the outside of the house while Charlotte’s was inside, and he worked hard to keep things looking good all year round – as much as the Wisconsin weather allowed. He found pleasure in the beauty of nature and took many lovely photographs on his trips around the U.S. and Europe. But what many of us will miss is his affable, good-hearted kidding and happy chuckle. He loved to tease and kid and always found a way to get folks to smile.

Bob was father to Craig (Lisa) Christensen and Sue (Charles) Stites; grandfather to Kelsey (Matt) McCauley and Eric Christensen as well as uncle to numerous beloved nieces and nephews. He was a friend to many and a good neighbor to many more. Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife Charlotte who passed away 6 days prior.

Both Bob and Charlotte were well cared for by Compassus Hospice and the staff of Oak Park Place in Menasha where they spent the last 6 months of their lives. The family sends the staff their sincere thanks and appreciation for all they did to make Bob and Charlotte comfortable in their final days.

There is no service planned at this time but we look forward to getting together with family and friends in the future. And we encourage all of you to remember what Bob liked to tell us: “Each day is a bonus – make good use of each and every day with those you love, doing the things you enjoy.