Robert Edward Christie

Robert “Bob" Edward Christie, 93, died peacefully on September 13, 2024, at Touchmark Senior Living, Appleton, WI.

Bob was born on December 13, 1930, in Devils Lake, ND, to Edward and Helene (Hingtgen) Christie. After graduating from Devils Lake High School, he attended Jamestown College in Jamestown, ND for one year until enlisting in the US Air Force. Bob had a tour of duty in Yakota AFB in Japan, a member of the B-29 flight crew performing 29 bombing missions over North Korea as Central Fire Control. After returning from Japan, Bob attended the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business.

Bob married Janice Geisler in 1957 in Valley City, ND. Bob and Janice raised four sons-Bob, Greg, Todd and Scott-and they owned and operated The Topper Motel in Devils Lake for many years. Bob worked as a butcher at Christie’s Market (owned by his father) in Devils Lake, then as a postal clerk at the Devils Lake Post Office, and finally as Regional Supervisor of Economic Assistance for the State of North Dakota. He was a member of Devils Lake Elks Club, Kiwanis Club, Devils Lake Country Club, and Westminster Presbyterian Church where he held many committee offices and was a faithful member of the choir.

Another member of the Presbyterian Choir was Barbara Wright St Clair. After losing both of their spouses, Bob and Barb became friends, and that friendship blossomed into a love lasting 38 years following their marriage on October 12, 1985, in Devils Lake.

Singing was always an important part of Bob’s life, including singing with the Varsity Bards at UND, and joining Barb and brother Ron and sister-in-law Dorothy as a quartet for many events at the Presbyterian church. Whenever the Christie brothers and families gathered, singing was always a large part of their celebrations.

Bob retired from his work with the State in 1993. The following years were filled with helping farmer friend Mark Blanchfield at harvest time, doing bookkeeping for Barb’s Bell Pharmacy, playing a bit of golf and a hobby of woodworking-he especially liked making decorative birdhouses for friends and family. Bob took part in many Ft Totten Little Theatre performances, particularly enjoying being part of the musical Oliver! with grandson Cody.

Airplanes were an important part of Bob’s life-starting with making many airplane models when he was young, through his time in the Air Force, and then enjoying air shows-including watching the many airplanes flying over Touchmark during the Oshkosh EAA Airshow.

After spending 20 years in Surprise, AZ, making new friends and enjoying the warmth, Bob and Barb moved back to the Midwest in 2021-this time to Appleton, WI, closer to family. They lived at Touchmark on West Prospect Senior Living, and found many new friends and activities in which to partake (including Parkinson’s Rock Steady Boxing) until Parkinson's Disease resulted in a decline in Bob's health.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Ronald, Charles and Donald. He is survived by wife Barbara, brother Richard (Jean), Huntley, IL; sons Robert (Tracy), and Todd (Brenda), Devils Lake, ND, Greg, Sautee, GA, Scott, Canton, GA; stepson Ryan (Kristina) St Clair, Neenah, WI and grandchildren: Christopher Christie, Jessica Weese, Jennifer (Greg) Wireman, Cody (Whitney) Christie, Brynna (Seth) Estenson, Jordan and Jared (Lindsey) Christie, Jacob and Sarah Christie, William, Henry and Owen St Clair.

A graveside celebration will be held at a later date in Devils Lake, ND.

The family suggests memorials be given to Wisconsin Parkinson’s Assn, 13400 Bishops Ln, Suite 120, Brookfield, WI 53005. We are so grateful for the kind and competent care Bob received from the caregivers at Touchmark and from St Croix Hospice staff. They all made Bob’s passing so very peaceful and comfortable.