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BORN
1929
DIED
2017
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Ned Christensen Obituary
Ned Jay Christensen, 88, died on Dec. 5, 2017 in Springville UT, of causes incident to aging.
He was born June 23, 1929 in Clarkston, UT.
Ned graduated from North Cache High School in 1947, and from Brigham Young University with a BA in 1954 and a MA in 1955. He received a PhD in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Penn State University in 1959.
He served in the U.S. Army as a Clinical Psychologist from 1951 to 1953. He was on the faculty at West Virginia University from 1959-1962. Ned and June moved their family to Eugene, Oregon in 1962 and Ned began his work on the faculty at the University of Oregon, where he was head of the Communication Disorders and Sciences Program, retiring in 1995.
Ned has been honored by the Oregon Speech-Language-Hearing Association and served twice as President. He was named a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
He served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many capacities. He was Bishop of the University Ward in Eugene for fifteen years and he was President of the Eugene Stake for nine years.
His interests were running, carpentry, gardening, crossword puzzles, reading, aerobic swimming, attending high school athletic events, and most of all, faith and family.
Ned was preceded in death by his son Todd Christensen, and fourteen brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, June Lee Christensen, his brother Leslie (Gae) Christensen; his sons Merrill (Diane) Christensen and Kelly (Marlayna) Christensen, daughter-in-law Kathy Christensen, twelve grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, December 9th at 3:00 pm at the LDS Chapel Ridge Building, 11473 South Chapel View Drive, South Jordan, Utah, where a Visitation will be held prior to services from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Graveside Services and Interment in Richmond City Cemetery, 325 North 200 East, Richmond, Utah, on Monday, December 11th at 12:00 Noon.
Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.uvfuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ned Christensen
Sponsored by Utah Valley Mortuary.
Marie Helmer
December 29, 2019
He saved my life. My husband, Russ had a severe head injury. I needed to return to college and complete a masters in Speech Pathology. I went to him, as he was head of the whole department. He told me that generally, I needed to take a test and put in an application but that he would try. He succeeded and I was able to complete my masters program and continue as a speech therapist in the public schools in Douglas County E.S.D. , Oregon for my entire career. Russ could not work and I will never ever forget what wonderful people both he and June are. He always remembered everyone's name and who they were and he always cared. I tell people about him all the time. He was a blessing to us and I know to everyone who would ever come in contact with him.
David Arsanis
January 16, 2018
Rest in Peace Dr. Christensen. I was going through some of my old records and came across your
letter of regret that I was leaving the PhD program and that you offered me a job at the clinic, after
I told you I could not pass Marilyn Nippold's language course with "One sentence or less" answers.
You were kind and offered me to stay and pursue my PhD in Audiology and tag along with you since
your program could not find a Speech Science professor, the reason i attended the program there.
I thought about how kind you were and to offer me that position was grateful back in 1984. My only good experience up there was meeting you and conversing with you and to me, It was wroth the bust and the
way I was a treated by the other professors. I thank you to this day and decided to look you up and sadden
by your present relocation. You were a GOOD man and I am only glad I met you back in 1984.
Marilyn Nippold
December 19, 2017
Dear June,
I have just made a donation to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation in honor of Ned. The ASHFoundation awards grants to promising researchers who collaborate with speech-language pathologists or audiologists in the field, trying to make a difference in the lives of children who have communication disorders.
My best wishes to you and your family.
Marilyn Nippold
University of Oregon
Cheryl (Smith) Lockard
December 13, 2017
To the Christensen Family,
I attended the University of Oregon from 1963-1967, majoring in speech communication for my undergraduate degree and then for my masters degree in speech pathology and audiology.
During that time I had the privilege of being in many of Dr. Christensen's classes. He and Kenneth Scott Wood and Bruce Ryan were an excellent team in the Speech Pathology Department with Dr. Christensen's expertise centering in Audiology.
Dr. Christensen was always interesting and supportive--the professor you could go to for advice and direction. One summer when I was working as a counselor at a speech camp in Eastern Oregon, he visited the camp with his family and I got to meet his lovely wife, June, and his three boys of whom he was very proud. Such a kind man! In later years, I would occasionally see Dr. Christensen at sporting events in Eugene, always supporting his family members. He leaves a legacy of integrity not only to his family but also to the many students that he inspired over the years.
Love and blessings to his family.
December 10, 2017
Such a good person. Any conversation l had with him l knew it would be interesting and worthwhile. I admired his non judgement approach to issues he had to deal with. As his physician of many years l always knew the interaction would give me more than l gave him. My best to June, Merrill, and Kelly. Loren Barlow
Chuck & Renee Sullivan
December 9, 2017
Our sincere sympathy at the loss of President Christensen. He was so many things, but especially a man of God and a good friend.
Jerold Ottley
December 9, 2017
Dear June and family,
Gary and Betty Martin informed us of Ned's passing, but we learned too late to allow us to celebrate his life with you. We owe much to both of you for your thoughtful examples and loving leadership while we struggled through a doctoral program and the U of O. You may remember that Ned served as the cross-campus representative on my dissertation committee. His encouragement was pivotal to my ability to finish ahead of schedule. And our life in University Ward was rich and sustaining.
JoAnn joins me in sending our love and condolences to you and the family.
Jerry
Robert Mills
December 8, 2017
He was my best friend through high School. We would run together during Gym class at North ache High School. I thought of Him often. He was a great and loyal friend..
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