Robert “Bob” Christenson
Bob passed away peacefully December 2, 2015 after a courageous six-year battle of complications as a result of bile duct cancer. He was born May 15, 1936 to Robert (“Max’’) and Elizabeth Christenson in Everett, Washington. When he was 12 the family moved to Seattle where Bob graduated from Garfield High School and the University of Washington with a BA in Finance. Following college he became an officer in the U.S. Navy, and upon his 3-year active duty, joined the reserve program, retiring with the rank of lieutenant commander.
From 1962 to 1972 Bob was controller of Foster and Marshall, Inc. At that time it was the region’s largest locally-owned stockbrokerage firm. It was here Bob met Barbara whom he married in 1972. He is survived by Barb, of Mercer Island, and daughter, Kari, of Columbia, TN.
In 1972 Bob became involved with the management and syndication of government assisted (“affordable”) multifamily housing units. This has been his life-work: the buying and selling of RD and HUD apartment complexes in which he was a general partner followed by the creation of Quality Management, a property management firm, managing many of the buildings in which he was a general partner. He was actively involved in business up to the time of his death.
Bob was highly regarded in the affordable housing community, receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Washington State Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH), its highest and most distinguished honor. In addition to being a member of CARH, he was also a member of the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA), Rotary and was a licensed real estate broker. He and Barb were also members of the Washington Athletic Club.
Bob and Barb moved from Seattle to Mercer Island in 1977 and they have resided at this location all these years. Bob loved travel of all kinds: international (with or without guides and tours), driving trips throughout the U.S. and cruising to ports both near and far. He was an outdoor enthusiast so he and Barb enjoyed all the Pacific Northwest amenities including hiking, biking, boating and skiing. As much as they travelled, there was no place like the Pacific Northwest. He was also an exercise guru and prided himself on his abilities to stay fit. He was still working with a trainer right up to his death.
To capture the “true essence of Bob” one needs to remember his huge laugh, big hugs and great sense of humor; his kindness and generosity, and above all else, his sense of integrity. In all that he accomplished and gave, he was a highly intelligent modest gentleman. He was a true friend to those who had the privilege of knowing him and was always there to give a helping hand to strangers as well as friends. Bob is greatly missed, but many lives are better because of him.
At his request there will be no service. A gathering is being planned for later this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Department of Gastroenterology, Virginia Mason Foundation, P.O. Box 1930 D-1, Seattle, Washington 98111 or a charity of your choice.
