CHRISTIANSEN, Paul Arthur 1932-2007

CHRISTIANSEN, HANSON, LINDLEY

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 10/19/2007 at 12:01:22

Paul Christiansen, age 75, and formerly of Mount Vernon, Iowa, died on Tuesday, October 2, 2007, at his home in retirement, Cottage Grove Place, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, following a long illness. A memorial celebration was held at 2:30 p.m., on Sunday, October 14, 2007 at King Chapel on the Cornell College campus in Mt. Vernon. A reception followed at the Russell D. Cole Library.

Paul Arthur Christiansen was born in Mitchell County, Iowa on June 7, 1932, to Myrtle (nee Hanson) and Carl Christiansen. Paul graduated from High School in Rudd, Iowa, and served a term of service in the United States Navy.

On June 25, 1955 Paul married Barbara JoAnn Lindley. Paul taught high school biology in Humboldt, Iowa, after completing a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Iowa. He earned a master of science degree at the University of Oregon.

In 1967 he completed a Ph.D. degree at Iowa State University and that same year joined the faculty of Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, as a professor of biology where his career spanned nearly four decades.

Professionally, Dr. Christiansen will be remembered for his seminal research in prairie ecology and his work in the classroom, the field, and the laboratory. He earned the recognition and respect of his peers as an expert in prairie ecology and prairie restoration. He spearheaded the research into prairie establishment in Iowa's roadsides, ultimately resulting in the establishment of the Iowa Living Roadway Trust Fund. Paul subsequently served on the advisory board to the Trust Fund for several years.

He authored numerous articles and wrote an invaluable resource book, "An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants," with illustrator Mark Muller. Paul was instrumental in reviving interest in The Nature Conservancy in Iowa and served as president of that organization and on the Board of Trustees for 34 years. He also served as member and president of the board of directors of the Iowa Academy of Science and was a recipient of the Academy's Distinguished Service Award in 1996.

In 1985, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad appointed him to the Iowa State Preserves Advisory Board where he served until 1991, including serving as chair. In 1999, he was appointed by Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack to the Iowa Natural Resource Commission, a position he held until 2005.

Paul served on the Mount Vernon Community School Board from 1971 to 1983. He was also a member of the Indian Creek Nature Center's Board of Trustees and was honored in 2006 with the establishment of the Paul Christiansen Prairie at the Nature Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Paul is survived by his wife Barbara; by his sons, Dana (Elizabeth) of Iowa City, Iowa, and Scot (Jane) of Edgewood, Iowa; by his two grandsons, Carl Christiansen, and John Christiansen, also of Edgewood; by his sisters, Nancy (Dale) Folkerts, Dorothy (Francis) Schmidt, and Helen Randolph; by a brother George Christiansen; and by 11 nieces and nephews.