Clifford
Clifford Henry Christensen
d. June 8, 2015
Clifford Henry Christensen, 101, died June 8, 2015 in his sleep at Prosser,
Washington. He lived a long and productive life since his birth in 1913 at the family farm near
Woodland, Washington. He began his career in electrical power when he helped a lineman install the
first electrical service on the farm—a light in the milking shed. After finishing high school, he and his
brother headed to work on construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. Tiring of pouring concrete, they
joined a power line transmission crew building the main line south from the dam. He volunteered
to serve in the Army during WWII, was stationed in India and supported the China-Burma-India
campaign, the “forgotten theater”. After the war, he worked for Pacific Power until his retirement in
1978. He was a member of the IBEW for 77 years.
He married Elizabeth Anne McDonald in 1948 at Portland, Oregon. They had two children, Charlotte
(Allen) Friberg and David (Ruby) Christensen. Cliff was always involved in activities that supported
the communities where he lived. He was the volunteer fire chief at Arlington, Oregon and led statewide
training for fire crews as buildings were razed in preparation for the pool behind the John Day dam
that required relocating the town. He was a leader in the Boy Scouts for many years and was awarded
the Silver Beaver Award in recognition of his leadership. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, and churches in Arlington, Springfield, and Bend, Oregon where he retired.
After retirement, he helped develop cross country ski trails with Virginia Meissner and led ski groups
during the week. Summers found him on extended bicycle trips. Most people he met became friends
because of his focus on them instead of himself. He relocated to Prosser in 2006 to be close to his
daughter and grandchildren.
He leaves his daughter and son, four grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in
death by his wife in 2000 and many friends. There will be a graveside service at the Pilot Butte Cemetery
in Bend on June 16 at 10 am. A memorial service will be held at Grace Fellowship in Prosser on August
1, 2015. Prosser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Washington. He lived a long and productive life since his birth in 1913 at the family farm near
Woodland, Washington. He began his career in electrical power when he helped a lineman install the
first electrical service on the farm—a light in the milking shed. After finishing high school, he and his
brother headed to work on construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. Tiring of pouring concrete, they
joined a power line transmission crew building the main line south from the dam. He volunteered
to serve in the Army during WWII, was stationed in India and supported the China-Burma-India
campaign, the “forgotten theater”. After the war, he worked for Pacific Power until his retirement in
1978. He was a member of the IBEW for 77 years.
He married Elizabeth Anne McDonald in 1948 at Portland, Oregon. They had two children, Charlotte
(Allen) Friberg and David (Ruby) Christensen. Cliff was always involved in activities that supported
the communities where he lived. He was the volunteer fire chief at Arlington, Oregon and led statewide
training for fire crews as buildings were razed in preparation for the pool behind the John Day dam
that required relocating the town. He was a leader in the Boy Scouts for many years and was awarded
the Silver Beaver Award in recognition of his leadership. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, and churches in Arlington, Springfield, and Bend, Oregon where he retired.
After retirement, he helped develop cross country ski trails with Virginia Meissner and led ski groups
during the week. Summers found him on extended bicycle trips. Most people he met became friends
because of his focus on them instead of himself. He relocated to Prosser in 2006 to be close to his
daughter and grandchildren.
He leaves his daughter and son, four grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in
death by his wife in 2000 and many friends. There will be a graveside service at the Pilot Butte Cemetery
in Bend on June 16 at 10 am. A memorial service will be held at Grace Fellowship in Prosser on August
1, 2015. Prosser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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