Dr. H.P. (Chris) Christensen passed away Friday Nov. 10th of cardiac failure following a two-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
He was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Ethel and Harold Christensen. He graduated from Brooklyn Tech High School and Brooklyn College.
After graduation from Brooklyn College he served for two years in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, first as an instructor at Fort Monmouth, N.J., and then as a technician in Heidelberg, Germany.
Upon discharge, he began his career in public education as a teacher, first in New York City, and then in the Florham Park School District, in Florham Park, N.J.
Thanks to the G.I. Bill, he furthered his education at Rutgers University, where he received both his Master's degree and a doctorate in Public School Administration. His career advanced to administrative positions in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.; and Rockaway Township, N.J.
In 1974, he became Director of Secondary Education for the Capital School District in Dover, Del. Over the years he served in various capacities including Director of Personnel, Administrator for Dover High School, Elementary Principal, and Business Manager. He was most proud of his work establishing the district-wide Gifted and Talented program, and as designer of a program budgeting system.
Dr. Christensen is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Virginia Theresa, and his daughter Anna. He is survived by his two sons – Paul, of West Grove, Pa.; and Mark, of Williamsburg, Va.; his daughters-in-law Sheelagh (Paul), and Gail (Mark). He is also survived by grandchildren, Luke and Anja.
Private services will be held in Long Island, New York.