Peter "PJ" Christoph

Peter "PJ" Christoph, a veteran of the U.S. Navy's Silent Service, died on January 2 near his home in Columbia Furnace, Virginia, surrounded by his family. He was 76.

Born in 1949 in Erie, Pennsylvania, PJ enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1968. He served as a submariner aboard the nation's first nuclear submarine fleet, on the USS Abraham Lincoln, where he worked as an electronics technician.

Following his service, PJ married the love of his life, Marsha Ann Boehmer, in 1977. Together they raised their two daughters in Sandbridge, Virginia, building a life rooted in family, service, and deep ties to their community.

PJ was a steadfast pillar of the Sandbridge community. For more than ten years, he owned and operated his family business, PJ Christoph Electric, earning a reputation for integrity, craftsmanship, and trust. He also served as a certified emergency first responder with the Sandbridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, as well as the Volunteer Fire Lieutenant . Alongside Marsha, he was a founding member of Sandbridge Community Chapel, and for many years the two led the acoustic portion of worship services-PJ on guitar, Marsha leading the congregation in song.

In 2005, PJ and Marsha moved to Columbia Furnace, Virginia, where they built their retirement home and embraced the natural beauty of the George Washington National Forest. There, they created a welcoming place for gatherings and treasured time with their family.

PJ's creativity and ingenuity were gifts to everyone who knew him. He was a skilled draftsman and published cartoonist, as well as a talented woodworker whose creations still fill the homes of loved ones-custom bookshelves and cabinets, wooden toys for his children, and cribs for his grandchildren. There was no machine, gadget, or tool he could not fix.

PJ's wit, humor, and quiet generosity filled every room he entered. He was happiest when he could make a full room groan at a pun. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, especially his family: his wife of nearly fifty years, Marsha; his daughters, Jessica (Roger) and Sara (Randy); and his grandchildren, Leah, Callie, Jack and Max.

In keeping with PJ's lifelong commitment to supporting his fellow veterans, the family welcomes donations in his memory to the United States Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation, Inc.

To donate in his memory: https://ussvcf.org/donate-in-memory-of-submarine-veteran/