Norman Christiansen, 80, Pan-Am captain

Norman C. Christiansen of San Diego, Calif., a retired senior Pan-American captain who lived in Ridgefield 30 years, died Aug. 23 at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego. He was 80 years old and the husband of Barbara Christiansen.
A native of Everett, Wash., Mr. Christiansen was born on Dec. 21, 1919, the son of Jenny and Alfred Christiansen. He grew up in Everett and attended the University of Washington but left to accept a scholarship to flight school.
He joined Pan American World Airways in the early 1940s and over the years piloted every kind of aircraft the airline ever flew, including the early clipper ships, which he flew over the Pacific routes.
During World II he was on loan to the U.S. Navy as a pilot.
Mr. Christiansen worked for Pan Am a total of 37 years and retired in 1979 as a senior check captain. He continued to maintain a deep interest in the airline and flying, and was very active in the Clipper Pioneers, a group of retired Pan Am crew members, and in the Pan American Historical Foundation.
“He was a wealth of history,” Barbara Christiansen said.
The Christiansens moved to Ridgefield in 1958 building their home on Manor Road. While here, they belonged to the First Congregational Church and the Waccabuc Country Club in South Salem.
Mr. Christiansen was also a member of the International Order of Characters.
“His first love was flying, but he also loved golf, skiing, tennis, working on his house,” said Mrs. Christiansen. “And he loved his family very much.”
Another great love love of his was a Beechcraft Baron, a twin-engine aircraft that he bought when he retired and which he continued to fly until moving to California in 1989.
Besides his wife, Mr. Christiansen is survived by five daughters, Jennifer Christiansen, who is currently sailing around world, Janet Christiansen of San Diego, Carol Chrstiansen of West Palm Beach, Fla., Julie Christiansen-Dull of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and Lucy Moore of Dublin, Calif.; a son, David Christiansen of Lexington, Ky.; a sister, Imogene Murdock of Seattle, Wash.; and nine grandchildren.
The Rev. Atessa Afshar will conduct a memorial service Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 2 at the First Congregational Church in Ridgefield.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Sharp Health Care Foundation, 8695 Spectrum Center Court, San Diego, CA 92123-1489.