Carl Christensen

1935 - 2022

Carl Chris Christensen resident of Peterborough, NH, formerly of Boulder, CO, passed away on February 12, 2022 from complications of cancer. Carl is survived by Katherine, his loving wife of 61 years; his son Mark, wife Elaine and grandson Anders; his son Paul, wife Jennifer and granddaughters Grace and Clara. Carl was predeceased by his parents Carl & Marie Christensen; sister Betty Johnson; brother Ernest Christensen; and daughter Elizabeth Christensen. Carl was born in Chicago, IL on February 15th, 1935, a second generation American, his Mother and Father both being of Danish extraction. He spent his childhood farming in West Branch IA, where he ran his father's farm at age 15 along with his brother. Carl served in the armed services as a Radio Man, attained his undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa, and received his Master's and Ph.D. in European History with emphasis on the Reformation and Renaissance, at the University of Ohio in 1965. Carl was the recipient of both the prestigious Wilson and Fulbright Scholarships during the course of his postgraduate studies. Carl served as Professor of European History at the University of Colorado for thirty seven years. During this time he attained full professorship in 1978, received numerous travel and research grants, some of which included trips behind the Iron Curtain studying manuscripts and artwork in Eastern Germany, as well as a highly regarded book award from the Graduate School of Humanities. Carl published two scholarly books and numerous professional monographs during his career and was granted Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 2001. He had a love of boats, sailing both on the Boulder Reservoir and Dillon Lake. He was awarded the Commuter Award by the city of Boulder for his many years of dedicated biking to work. Carl and Katherine loved international travel and living oversees. Carl enjoyed fifty years of singing tenor in the Atonement Lutheran Church choir, where his wife Katherine also served as organist for over 35 years. Carl was a man of deep religious faith and believed in the inherent dignity of all people. Carl is deeply missed by his family; he was considered by all to be kind and loving and possessing a gentle spirit. A memorial service will be held at a future date as yet to be determined.