Larry R. Christenson

Larry Richard Christenson (November 10, 1953 – August 28, 2026) died at age 72 while fishing with friends in British Columbia, Canada. He is survived by his beloved daughters, Libby and Claire, and his brother, Gary. He was predeceased by his sister, Joan; his mother, Mary Ruth Kinder; his stepfather, James Kinder; and his father, Arnold Christenson. Known to many as “L.C.,” he will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his family, teammates, many friends, business associates, and baseball fans.

A devoted and proud father, L.C. treasured his time with Libby and Claire above all else.

After his 11-year major league career with the Phillies (1973–1983), L.C. built a successful career in institutional investing. In 2004, he founded Christenson Investment Partners, serving as its president and chief executive officer until his unexpected passing. L.C. remained closely connected to the Phillies organization and the Philadelphia community, generously supporting Phillies’ Charities and numerous local nonprofits. In 1988, L.C. traveled to Rome and Poland with author James A. Michener, businessman Edward Piszek, and former baseball star Stan Musial. During the journey, they met with prominent figures, including Pope John Paul II and Polish Prime Minister Lech Walesa. Michener later documented the experience in Pilgrimage: A Memoir of Poland and Rome.

A gifted storyteller and engaging conversationalist, L.C. delighted in sharing stories about baseball and countless other subjects with old friends and people he had just met, whether on the street or at the ballpark. He always welcomed the stories of others, took the time to freely sign autographs and returned every piece of fan mail with a handwritten note and a kind word.

He had an infectious laugh, could give and receive barbs with the best, and always enjoyed a good prank.

L.C. was a member of St. Peter’s in the Great Valley Episcopal Church. A proud Freemason, L.C. was a member of Thompson Lodge No. 340 in Paoli and Melita Lodge No. 295 in Philadelphia.

Although L.C. continued to reside in the Philadelphia area after his playing days, he never lost touch with his Pacific Northwest roots, maintaining properties in Everett and Leavenworth, WA, where he frequently visited with family and friends.

L.C. was an outdoors enthusiast and enjoyed hunting and fly-fishing excursions whenever his busy schedule permitted.

L.C. spent his entire big-league career with the Phillies, compiling an 83-71 record with a 3.79 ERA, 781 strikeouts, and 220 starts (ninth in franchise history). From the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, L.C. helped establish the Phillies as a National League powerhouse. In 1977, he won a career-high 19 games and was the winning pitcher in the team’s division clinching win over the Chicago Cubs, a game in which he also hit a grand slam and drove in five runs. In the Phillies 1980 World Series Championship season, L.C. went 5-1 with a 4.03 ERA in 14 starts. Not just a pitcher, L.C. belted 11 home runs over his career (tied for first in franchise history). Mike Schmidt called him “very special, the guy that kept in touch with all of us . . .He always had a smile on his face.” Larry Bowa remembered him as “a tremendous teammate . . . always the life of the clubhouse.”