Robert A. Christman *50

Robert Christman, professor emeritus of geology at Western Washington University (WWU), died peacefully July 14, 2012, at the age of 88.

Christman earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1946, after serving briefly in the Army in World War II. He then earned a Ph.D. in geology from Princeton in 1950. His first position was as an assistant professor of mineralogy at Cornell University.

In 1960, he went to WWU as professor and chair of the geology department. He retired in 1994 as professor emeritus. He loved to teach students, and was president and board member of the Washington Science Teachers Association, editor of its journal, and executive director of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers.

In Bellingham, Wash., Christman had been an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church since 1960, served on its parish council, sang in the choir, and coordinated the quilt raffles for 41 years. He was an assistant Boy Scout master for more than 40 years, earning the Silver Beaver Award. Since 2002, he and his son owned the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, a historic community arts center.

Christman was survived by Bess, his wife of 59 years; and their four children.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.