Norman Mckenzie Christensen

NORMAN M. CHRISTENSEN, M.D. 1923-2018 Norman Mckenzie Christensen (Chris to many of his friends) died on August 13, 2018 at his home at Kneeland, CA at the age of 95. Those who knew him were not surprised he chose to leave the way he wanted: at home with his wife, dogs, and two of his children present. As his daughter Ann wrote "Dad died this morning about 8:30am. A bluebird family bathing in the birdbath, Acorn Woodpeckers at the feeder, Ravens calling in the gulch. Light streaming in their windows. Surrounded with spacious love. It was a good morning to die. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 71 years, Sally, and his five children Scott (Corey), Ann, Kate (Dan), Cort (Susan), and Sarah. He was also survived by his grandchildren Ella (North), Jake, Issac, Caitlin, Claire, Peter, Lucy, Slater, Kira, and Riley and great grandchildren Rowan, and Talus. He leaves a sister Lynette, and her children, Leslie and Matt, and numerous more distant relatives both in and outside of the US. His two dogs, Circe and Zach the last of a long line of the luckiest dogs in Humboldt County, will miss him greatly. He was born in 1923 in Berkeley, California, to Ada McKenzie Christensen and Nels August Christensen. His father was a Methodist minister, who had emigrated from Denmark. His mother was born and raised in upstate New York. He graduated from Stanford University and then attended Stanford Medical School, graduating in 1948. He started his surgical residency at Stanford, primarily on the Stanford Service at San Francisco General Hospital. He was called to active duty during the Korean War, spending two years in Japan. He finished his surgery training in San Francisco upon his return to the U.S. The lure of the rivers of Northern California and easy access to the outdoors called him to Eureka in 1955. As was usual at the time he went into solo private practice. In 1961 he and Dr. Joe Walsh formed a surgical partnership. In addition to Dr. Walsh, he practiced with Drs. George Husband, Tom Rydz, and John Van Speybroeck. He retired in 1991. Medically he was a gifted surgeon. He was recognized not only locally but nationally. He was one of the first rural private practice surgeons to be admitted to the prestigious Pacific Coast Surgical Association. Even more than being a member, he served as president of the PCSA in 1992. He was an examiner for the American Board of Surgery. He was a member of the Western Surgical Association. He was Clinical Professor of Surgery at UCSF and UCD. When UCD called about the VA Hospital in Martinez needing a temporary Chief of Surgery in the late 70's, he took over that position for six months until a permanent chief was hired. He was a visiting professor at San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) multiple times in the 70's and 80's. He closed the circle of his time at SFGH by being co-author of the definitive book The History of The Surgical Service at San Francisco General Hospital published in 2007. Locally he served on numerous boards and committees including being a President of the Humboldt Medical Society. He was instrumental in developing the local Tumor Board. He was deeply involved in developing NorCal insurance during the medical malpractice crisis of the mid 70's more recently he was on the Hospice of Humboldt Board, helping them fund their new facilities. His passion for medicine was equaled by his interest in people and the world. When Norm entered the room, he would often own it. Not by force of personality alone, but by his warm and engaging manner. He was sensible, reasonable, broadly learned and immensely interesting. He would listen, share, entertain and lead. He was the model of a sensible man, with an understanding of who he was and what he believed. He enjoyed having his notions challenged, especially those of a political nature. He did not suffer fools gladly. He supported people and causes in which he believed. As long as he felt the cause was just, he did not care what others thought or how this would affect his career. He was a counselor for Save the Redwoods League. He was influential in preventing the Butler Valley Dam on the Mad River despite much public support for the project. He fought (and lost) for female admission to membership in the Ingomar Club. These were not popular positions to take in Eureka during the 1950's to 80's but he felt they were the right positions. He was passionate and skillful outdoorsman: skier, backpacker, hunter, photographer and observer of nature. As soon as each of his children could hike or ride a horse, they joined the rest of the family for week long pack trips in the Sierra Nevada or Wind River Range. His enduring love, however, was fly fishing. He fished and explored the rivers of the West until a couple of years before his death. His friend, John Van Speybroeck, wrote "He was a fly fisherman extraordinaire. I saw a picture of him fishing when he was about 3. He didn't stop for the next 90 years. He taught countless others (including all of his children and my wife) how to fly fish the rivers of the world." He was an early and dedicated environmentalist. He knew that the land and waters must be protected so that future generations could enjoy them as he did. He joined the Sierra Club as a teen and stayed an active member throughout his life. He was a generous supporter of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Trust for Public Land, North Umpqua Foundation and numerous other groups protecting our natural resources. Even though he was the son of a minister his church was the outdoors. Normans shared his love of the outdoors and nature with his family and countless others. This may be his most enduring legacy. He was an extraordinary curious person. In the Christensen home, one could see books on a myriad of subjects including science, world history, poetry, fiction, and biographies interspersed with the journals Science, Science News, The New Yorker, Smithsonian, and The New York Review of Books. Last year Norm decided to reread The lliad, and The Odyssey just to compare his thoughts and these books from when he was a younger man. To sum up Norm in a few paragraphs does not do justice to his 95 years. He was his own person. One thing is certain: the world is a better place because of him. We will miss him dearly. The Christensen family would like to especially thank Dr. Jennifer Heidmann, Hospice of Humboldt, and Robbie Basist. They would also like to thank his dedicated caregiver Deanna, Ashley, Claire, and Thomas. To those interested in making a donation in Noman Christensen's memory, his family recommends Hospice of Humboldt County, The North Umpqua Foundation, The Pacific Rivers or an environmental or community based nonprofit of your choosing. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com