Dr. Dale Christenson died peacefully at his home in Bakersfield, CA, on July 6th, 2023, after a long illness battling pulmonary fibrosis.
Dale was born to Albin (Pat) and Ethel Christenson in Cogswell, ND, 1936. He was active in the Boy Scouts throughout his youth, receiving the Eagle Scout award, and enjoyed skiing, canoeing, and the outdoors. He graduated from Concordia College Moorehead, MN, in 1958 with double majors in physics and math. He went to the University of Minnesota, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering and, ultimately, a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
Dale maintained dual careers, practicing dentistry evenings and weekends while working at Michelson Lab in the Fuse Department of the China Lake Naval Weapons Center. He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church. In 2019, he and his wife, Arlis, made their home in Bakersfield closer to their daughter, where he became an active St. John’s Lutheran Church member.
Dale is preceded in death by his sister, Sharon, niece, Nola, and Arlis, his wife of 59 years. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kari and Courtney Harrison, and granddaughter Tori Harrison. His ashes will be placed next to Arlis at her home church Amo Lutheran Church in Storden, MN.
We want to express our deep gratitude to the fantastic staff and volunteers of Hoffmann Hospice for their compassionate care for our father and us as we move forward. Please consider supporting this organization, as well as the American Lung Association.
