Robert Christensen

May 24, 1935 - August 25, 2023

In Loving Memory ~

Robert (Bob to many) has gone ahead to join his wife, Judy, his parents, Mabel and Buster, his sister, Eleanor, and his brother, Jim.

He leaves behind his children, Bruce, Kim, Tom, and Mike, along with his grandchildren, Scott, Kalvin, Claire, Travis, Emily, Rylyn, and Dylan, and the sparkle in his eye, his great-granddaughter, Ellie. His passing is a great loss, but he taught us to smile and carry on when times are difficult.

Robert was born during the Great Depression in Fort Fraser, B.C. His dad split railway ties by hand to keep food on the table for the family. Not an easy life. In 1940, the whole family moved back to Cortez Island to his great-grandfather's homestead in Manson's Lagoon. There, the family flourished. Robert attended North Van High and graduated in 1953. After graduating, he returned home to go logging with his dad and learned skills he passed down through two generations.

In 1960, he married Judy Jeffery and began 33 years of a loving partnership. They were quite the couple and enjoyed their time together immensely. Over time, four beautiful, energetic children were added to the mix, further enriching their lives.

Robert bought his dad's logging company in 1962. Early married life was spent in Theodosia Inlet, making a living by honest, hard work—rigging wooden spars, jackhammering through rock to build roads, and the occasional exciting bit of dynamite.

The family logging operations are still based in Theodosia Inlet. Robert continued to log with his sons and grandsons into his late 70's and was a wealth of practical knowledge and experience.

When Bruce was 5, Robert built a family home on Hague Lake on Cortez Island so the kids could attend school, but summers were spent back in Theo. In 1973, he and Judy bought a home in Smelt Bay, which continues to be a much-loved family gathering place.

The kids grew up. The grandkids started to arrive. Our lives were filled with love, laughter, celebrations, boating, camping, ATVing, and family dinners. It was the best of times.

Judy left us after a brief, nasty fight with cancer in 1993. Robert carried on, keeping the family organized and together for the next 30 years with laughter, smiles, gentle patience, and always love.

A man who was never impatient or irritable despite life's trials, Robert set an example of how to live life. Work hard. Don't ask somebody else to do what you wouldn't do yourself. Don't blame other people. Be kind to everyone. Smile. Look for the good. Enjoy the humour in all things. Dad no longer walks with us, but we will carry his lessons with us forever.

Special thanks to Drs Mary and Rob Ramsey for their care and kind regard. Special thanks also to the staff at the Adult Day Program, whose care and attention greatly improve the quality of life of our vulnerable elderly.

Finally, many thanks to Evergreen Seniors Home, whose management and staff strive on a daily basis to ensure their residents live with grace and dignity in a safe, warm, and caring environment.

A memorial service will be held to honour Robert on Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 1 - 3 p.m. at St. Peter's Anglican Church, 228 South Dogwood St., Campbell River, B.C.

In memory's garden, we meet every day.