Arthur Herman CHRISTENSEN

CHRISTENSEN, SUMPTION, SCHILLINGER, BRONS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:53

Arthur Herman Christensen
16 March 1902 ---- 28 December 1936

Arthur H. Christensen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Christensen, was born on a farm near Hardy, Iowa, March 16, 1902, and died at his home in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Dec. 28, 1936. He came to Eagle Grove, Iowa with his parents in 1911 where he attended the grade schools and high school, graduating with the class of 1921. He was president of his class during his senior year. He was a favorite among the students and gave promise of outstanding leadership. Following his graduation he entered the United States government weather bureau service in 1921 at Oklahoma City, Okla., and later served at Des Moines, Keokuk, Washington, D. C., Chicago, Kansas City and Cheyenne, Wyo., where he lived at the time of his death.

Government Recognition

After Mr. Christensen had been in Keokuk about 2 1/2 years, he received a call to Washington, D. C. At that time congress made a special appropriation for the training of six forecasters in the work of the district office. Eight were selected and were given three months training in Washington, D. C. Six out of the eight were chosen and were sent out to the different forecast centers to apply this training. Arthur was one of the six. The men were chosen on the basis of their records and experience, or in other words for their adaptability for the new field in which they were trained. The fact that six men were chosen from out of all of the stations for their adaptability speaks well of Arthur.

For several years he has been suffering with asthma and while he was at Kansas City he was transferred to Cheyenne where it was hoped the climate would improve his condition.

He was married to Miss Nina Sumption, June 3, 1928, who survives him. Besides his wife he is survived by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Christensen of Eagle Grove, and three sisters and three brothers, Mrs. Andrew Schillinger and Maybelle Christensen of Des Moines, and Mrs. L. P. Brons of Eagle Grove; J. M. Christensen of Des Moines; T. W. Christensen of Grand Junction, Iowa; and W. J. Christensen of Chicago, Ill.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 1:15 from the Wilson funeral chapel conducted by the Rev. W. L. Breaw, pastor of the Methodist church. Interment was in Rose Hill cemetery.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
January 7, 1937

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Mr. Arthur H. Christensen, official in charge of the Cheyenne Airport Station, died December 28, 1936. He was born at Hardy, Iowa, on March 16, 1902. Mr. Christensen entered the service June 19, 1922, at Oklahoma City, and has since served at Des Moines, Keokuk, Chicago, Kansas City, Mo., and Cheyenne, respectively, being in charge of the airport station at the latter place from August 16, 1935, to the time of his death.

Weather Bureau Topics and Personnel, December 1936

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Weather Bureau Aid's Body to Iowa for Burial Cheyenne, Wyo., Dec. 29.-- The body of Arthur Herman Christensen, 34, meteorologist at the federal weather bureau station at the Cheyenne airport, was sent to Eagle Grove, Ia., today for burial. Christensen's body was found by his wife at his home yesterday with a bullet from a .22 rifle through his head.

Chicago Tribune --- Chicago, Illinois
30 December 1936

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Chyenne, Wyo., Dec. 29. The body of Arthur Herman Christensen, 34, meteorologist at the federal weather bureau station at the Cheyenne airport, was sent to Eagle Grove, Iowa, Tuesday for burial. Christensen's body was found by his wife at his home Monday with a .22 caliber rifle bullet through his brain. Coroner Paul H. Worland said Christensen left a note to his wife saying he was taking his own life because of ill health from which he had suffered for the last eight years. Worland said there will be no inquest.

The Billings Gazette --- Billings, Montana
30 December 1936