Robert John Christy

Robert John Christy, age 92, passed away February 16, 2015 in Bellingham, Washington. Born in Riverton, Nebraska on November 14, 1922 to Frank and Irene Christy, he was raised on the family farm. After high school he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where at the onset of World War II he joined the U.S. Navy. He served with distinction aboard the Fleet Oiler U.S.S. Neches earning 9 Battle Stars. He was involved in every major invasion in the Pacific Theatre including Tarawa, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, as well as the Aleutian Campaign, and the battles of the Coral Sea, and Leyte Gulf. The ship was among the first into Tokyo and was with the U.S.S. Missouri when the Japanese surrender was signed. In 1951 he married Delores Schmidt of Riverton, Nebraska, and for the next 62 years they were basically inseparable. While they raised two boys, he worked as an electrical superintendent primarily on various hydroelectric construction projects in the western U.S. and Canada. Bob and Delores lived in their Pasco, Washington home for over thirty years, relocating to Bellingham in 2011. Bob loved his wife and family, sports of all types - especially Nebraska football and the Mariners - and was an avid fruit and vegetable gardener. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and no family gathering was complete without one of his (sometimes off-color) stories or songs. He was an IBEW Master Electrician and a Master Mason. His beloved wife Delores passed away on January 15, 2014 and he missed her every day; they are now together again. Bob is survived by his son Mike and his wife Vickie of Bellingham, and his son Scott and his wife Nancy of Lake Forest Park; his grandchildren John and wife Bre, Rob and wife Jennifer, James, and Bob's great grandchildren Melanie, Torrin, Ava and Roanin. He is also survived by his sister Priscilla and a number of nieces and nephews. After a life well lived, Bob was laid to rest at Bayview Cemetery, Friday, February 20, 2015. Memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice. Share your memories at www.molesfarewelltributes.com Arrangements by Moles Farewell Tributes-Bellingham.