Robert L. Christensen ’50 *57

Robert died Oct. 5, 2024, at the age of 95.

Known to his family and friends as Chris, he grew up in Maplewood and Short Hills, N.J., and attended the Pingry School. At Princeton, Chris majored in physics and was a member of Charter Club and Orange Key. He ran track and was in NROTC. Chris served three years in the Navy before returning to Princeton to earn a Ph.D. in physics in 1957.

He and his wife, Barbara, settled in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he started a career with IBM. The family moved to Chappaqua, N.Y., in 1962, where he lived until his death. Chris transitioned his career to Wall Street, working in technology research on the computer and semi-conductor industries. He then moved into the investment advisory business, from which he retired in 1996.

Chris was an avid sailor, acting as a navigator on numerous offshore races between Newport, R.I., and Bermuda or Marblehead, Mass., to Halifax, Nova Scotia. He would navigate by a sextant and the stars. In retirement he helped friends crew boats along the East Coast, from Alaska down the West Coast, and through the Panama Canal. He was a member of numerous yacht clubs. Chris was a devoted husband and supportive father who cherished his family.

He enjoyed returning to campus in the fall for football tailgates, attending swim meets, and participating in his many class reunions. In 2012, he was recognized by University President Shirley Tilghman for his five-year devotion of time and energy working on Princeton’s Aspire fundraising campaign. He was a longtime benefactor of Princeton swimming and diving and track and field.

Chris was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Barbara, and a granddaughter. He is survived by sons Robert Jr. ’75, William, and John ’81; and eight grandchildren.