Arthur Christiansen

SALEM -Arthur Russell "Art" Christiansen passed away suddenly on March 19, 2012, surrounded by family and friends. Art was born on July 23, 1935 to Dr. Russell and Agnes Christiansen in Bend, OR. He grew up in Redmond and graduated from Redmond High School in 1953; he graduated from Willamette University in 1957 and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Art went to work for the Salem Keizer School District, starting as a social studies teacher at South Salem High School. He then went to Oregon State University to complete his masters in education with an emphasis in counseling and then worked at the Central Office.

Art married Annette Bjorkman on March 18, 1960. They were married 52 years.

Art also served in the Oregon National Guard for 23 years and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He was the assistant principal at Sprague High School from 1972 until 1981 and later worked at McNary High School in the same capacity until his retirement in 1992. From 1992 to 1999, he was a conference coordinator for the Confederation Of School Administrators (COSA).

He is survived by his wife, Annette, daughters, Julie Christiansen of Beaverton; Jill Rittenhouse (David) of Mount Pleasant , SC, grandsons Zachary, Joshua, and Matthew, whom he loved dearly. Other surviving family members include his sister, Julia Watson of Salem, OR and niece Sarah Mansfield of Eureka, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He had a deep appreciation and love of nature and wildlife. On his daily walks, the crows knew exactly where he was on his route by seeing his green Ducks hat and they knew he had peanuts as treats.

The family requests contributions be made to the Willamette Humane Society or Salem Friends of Felines.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 27 at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Services at 2:00 pm.

Published in StatesmanJournal from March 24 to March 25, 2012

Burial arrangements under the direction of Belcrest Memorial Park.