Andrew Dobbie Christie ’44

Body

ANDY, SON of John W. Christie '04, joined us at Princeton from Mercersburg Academy. He retired in Feb. 1992 as chief justice of Delaware's Supreme Court, planning to travel more widely with his wife, Carol. He died May 28, 1993, in a highway accident in Arizona.

Andy majored in history, was a member of the Westminster Society, belonged to Key and Seal Club, and lived in Henry, the 1904 dormitory. He served in the army air corps in Okinawa and Japan for three years, returning to graduate in 1947 ' After getting his law degree from the Univ. of Pennsylvania, he and Carol, who were married in July 1946, returned to Wilmington, Del., where he began his distinguished legal career.

After a oneyear clerkship with the U.S. Circuit Court, Andy practiced law and served as chief attorney for the state legislature. In 1957, he was made a judge of the Superior Court, and in 1983, he was appointed to the Supreme Court. In Dec. 1985, Andy became chief justice.

Our class recognized his success with the Bate Farnum Achievement Award in 1987. Many in Delaware spoke very highly of Andy. To quote his successor, he was "not only an excellent jurist, but one of the kindest and most generous persons I have ever known." He was a gentleman in all senses of that word.

He is survived by his widow, Carol; two sons, Andrew D. Jr. '74 and George D.; two daughters, Anne and Elizabeth '85; seven grandchildren; three brothers; and two sisters. To all of them the class extends its deepest sympathy in the loss of this respected and widely admired gentleman and dear friend.

The Class of 1944

0 Responses

Join the conversation

Plain text

Full name and Princeton affiliation (if applicable) are required for all published comments. For more information, view our commenting policy. Responses are limited to 500 words for online and 250 words for print consideration.

Paw in print

Image
PAW's July/August 2025 issue cover, featuring a photo of people dressed in orange and black, marching in the P-rade, and the headline: Reunions, Back in Orange & Black.
The Latest Issue

July 2025

On the cover: Wilton Virgo ’00 and his classmates celebrate during the P-rade.