Herman Christensen Jr. ’51

Herman Christensen Jr. ’51, a lifelong Californian and active contributor to his community of Atherton, died unexpectedly on December 9, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Isobel, four children (including Maren ’83 and Gavin, Tu’91) and seven grandchildren. Herm was an art and architecture major at Dartmouth and a member of Delta Tau Delta. He served as business manager of the Aegis and as a member of the Undergraduate Council. He was a member of the varsity track and freshman soccer teams. As an alumnus he chaired his class’ 30th reunion and regularly hosted informal lunch gatherings of ’51s in the Bay Area. He served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956, following receipt of a master’s in political science from Stanford University. Herm joined his father’s home-building business and, with his brother, built the company into a major general contracting and real estate development firm. He served as the youngest president of the Peninsula Home Builders Association. Herm was passionate about education, serving as president of the Menlo Park school board and of the Castillejo School foundation board. He was a long-time supporter of Eastside College Preparatory School. Other community involvement included service as chair of the Atherton Planning Commission, president of the Menlo Circus Club and board member of the San Mateo County Historical Society. He loved playing tennis (he met Isobel on the tennis court), actively enjoying the game until the end of his full life.