Howard Earl Christensen

Middletown, RI - Howard Chris Christensen, 74, of 6 Beechland Place, Middletown, RI, died Sunday, February 8, 2009 at his home in Middletown, RI. He was the husband of Barbara Barile Christensen. Born in Sturgeon Lake, MN on June 3, 1934, he was the son of the late Henry T. and Hilma Helmerson Christensen.Howard Christensen grew up on a farm in Minnesota, and eager to see other parts of the world, earned a NROTC scholarship to attend Oregon State University, at the young age of 16. After graduation, he served as a Naval aviator and legal air-intelligence officer in the US Navy for 22 years. During his career he attended the Newport Naval War College as a student in the college of Naval Warfare, then served on the staff and faculty of the College of Naval Command and Staff. In 1976 he retired from active duty, and began a second career as a contractor, doing remodeling and renovation projects for many homes around Newport. He was a member of the St. Peters Lutheran Church community and was active in nearly every volunteer position at the church including the church choir. He was a dedicated family man, and cherished the time spent with his wife, children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara Christensen of Middletown, RI, two daughters Lori Aguiar of Middletown, RI, and Lynda Moore of Portsmouth, RI, son Kevin Christensen of Middletown, RI, six grandchildren, Jennifer, Teresa, Dylan, Rebecca, Thor and Fiona, two brothers, Richard Christensen of Sturgeon Lake, MN, and Gerald Christensen of Grand Rapids, MN, and his sister Beverly Barresi of Houston, TX. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 28, at 10 AM in St. Peters Lutheran Church, 525 Broadway, Newport followed by the interment of his ashes, with military honors, in Newport Memorial Park, Middletown. A luncheon in celebration of his life will be served at St. Peters Lutheran Church following the services.Memorial donations may be made to Middletown Rescue Wagon Fund, 239 Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI 02842