Christensen, Robert A.

SCHENECTADY — Robert A. Christensen, 84, passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2021.

Robert (Bob, Mr. C, Dad, Pop, Poppy, Gumpy) was born to Edna and Adolf Christensen in New London, Conn. in 1936 where he attended public school. During that time, he earned his Eagle Scout Award and often thought about his crosscountry train ride and experiences at the Philmont, New Mexico Scout Ranch. Upon graduation, Bob was accepted to Boston University School of Fine Arts where he was elected a class president of the Student Body for four consecutive years and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree with an applied performance major in piano and organ in 1958. In that same year he married his lifelong love, Barbara Lamb, from Groton, Conn. and they have been married for 63 years. Bob received his master’s degree from SUNY Albany in psychology while also serving three years in the New York State Army National Guard. While teaching in the Niskayuna school district, he was awarded The General Electric Star Program Award as well as the Rockefeller Grant to the Oberlin Conservatory Teachers Performance Institute. After 30-plus years in the Niskayuna School District he retired as the High School Choral Director in 1992. Mr. C was an adjunct music professor at Union College and the Schenectady County Community College. His active career also included being the organist/choir director for the Eastern Parkway United Methodist and Bellevue Reform Churches in Schenectady. Bob was also the choral conductor/tour director for American Music Abroad for fifteen years and lead over twenty European tours with both student and adult music groups. Mr. C was a state-wide music adjudicator for the New York State Music Association, Choral Conductor for the St. Clare’s Choraliers in Schenectady, a guest conductor for music festivals throughout New York, Maine and Pennsylvania, and an active substitute organist for churches throughout the Capital District Area. Bob was proud of his Viking heritage and served many years as the president of the local Sons of Norway Fram Lodge. Bob also enjoyed golfing and was an accomplished woodcarver, botanist, beekeeper, maple syrup maker, chef, photographer, outdoorsman, and a Black Belt in Taekwondo. Bob will be remembered most as a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, mentor, and friend. He was always quick with a corny joke that did no harm. He sponsored numerous student teachers and foreign exchange students as well. Music was his life. We can only imagine the thousands of people touched throughout his musical career. A former student expressed that, "Without him, there will be less music in the world."

Bob enjoyed camping, sailing, traveling throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, with his family, and together with Barbara, he served many years at the Capital District Regional Food Bank. They have three

Food Bank. They have three children: Robin C. Mann (John), Karl Christensen (Carolyn) and Karen Szary (George); six grandchildren: Mckenzie, Charlotte, Riley, Jenna, Emily and Eliot; and two great-grandchildren: Merrick and Elowyn. He is also survived by two sistersin-law and many nieces and nephews. A very special mention goes to Mercy, our family’s "adopted" daughter from Kenya, Africa.

Calling hours will be held at the Gleason Funeral Home, 730 Union Street between 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 18. A Mass will be in St. Gabriel The Archangel Church, 3040 Hamburg St., Schenectady at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 19. Final interment of ashes will occur at a later date.

Mr. C’s heart yearned to assist hungry children, and he had two favorite charities. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and/or Southwest Reservation Aid.