Robert Christie

Robert Arnold Christie, age 88, of Fridley. Passed away Feb. 26, 2012. Bob was born on September 9, 1923, in Faribault, Minnesota. He grew up in Faribault and graduated from Faribault High School. He had three younger brothers: Don, Dick and Bruce. His family belonged to the 4th Avenue United Methodist Church in Faribault and he was involved there throughout his youth. He went to St. Olaf College for 1 year, then transferred to the University of Minnesota because they had a better engineering program. He signed up with the military (Army) in November, 1942, partly because of the promise of financial assistance with schooling; he was called to active duty in April, 1943. He served in the Army for 3 years (1943-1946) and went to Germany, France, Czechoslovakia and Japan. As a PFC, he was a student in the Army specialized training program, an ammunition bearer, and a mortar gunner; then he became a Sergeant and served as a squad leader. Finally, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant where he served as a section leader and supervised the work of three squads (fifteen men). His military occupational specialty was "Section Leader" which involved setting up, aiming and firing a 60 mm mortar; adjusting the mortar for elevation and deflection; and using firing tables to determine the necessary charge. After he was discharged from the Army, he completed his schooling at the University of Minnesota and graduated with a double major in engineering and business.

After college, Bob started working at Northern States Power Company where he made frequent trips to the water fountain in the area where Joyce Lindskoog worked. Bob and Joyce were married on November 5, 1949, and their first child was born in 1955 (Chuck). When "Chuckie" was born, Bob said nothing but "just grinned from ear to ear". Their second child (Catherine) was born in 1959, the first girl in several generations of Christies. Their last child (Judie) was born in 1963.

Bob retired from NSP in 1988, after many years of service in Plant Accounting.

Bob loved animals, as was evident by his enjoyment of the family's dog and cat, and how gentle he was with animals. Many family outings and vacations included visits to petting zoos or farms where there were animals.

Bob and Joyce started attending Grace Evangelical Free Church, when the church was meeting at the Columbia Heights Junior High School, before the church had a name. The pastor was Olai Urang. In Bob's last years of life, he experienced increasing health problems. Even as he became frustrated with these problems and with being dependent on other people, his heart became increasingly softened towards the Lord, and his family noticed a huge increase in humility and gratitude. In the past few years, every time he talked to his daughters in California, he told them he prayed for them every day and that he loved them. He also made statements to family members and relatives that showed he was relying on Jesus for his salvation.

He was preceded in death by his brother Dick, who died in 1955, and his parents.