Alvin "Skip" Christensen, Rest in Peace

[Brian Christensen]

With great sadness, I regret to inform the Land Surveying community of the passing of my father Alvin “Skip” Christensen, PLS 3936. Skip lost his battle with cancer this morning, he was 73 years young. Skip is survived by his wife Brett, son Warren, daughter Jenifer, grandson Scott, granddaughter Melissa, grandson Brock, granddaughter Kendall and myself.

Skip was born and raised in Rio Vista, CA. He played basketball and football at Rio Vista High school and later attended UC Davis and played football for the Aggies. Skip enjoyed sailing in the San Francisco Bay and later, the coastal waters of the Pacific out of Dana Point, CA. I have many fond memories of sailing with my dad.

Skip started his surveying career at the Port of Oakland in 1960. He worked for the Port for 4 years. He then took a position at Murray-McCormick in Oakland. Murray-McCormick eventually became Greiner which eventually became URS Corporation. Skip became licensed in 1971. Skip served as a Vice President for many of his 48 years with URS. He spent 16 years in Santa Ana, CA as Greiner’s Southern Region Survey Operations Manager. He found his way back to the Bay Area to lead URS’ Northern Region Survey Group in 1998.

Skip has worked on numerous high-profile transportation projects throughout California, most notably Bay Area Rapid Transit. Last year, Skip began work on the Fresno to Bakersfield phase of the California High-Speed Rail Right of Way Engineering project. He enjoyed the challenge of large projects. He has influenced and mentored many throughout his career. Over the years, I have been told by many what a professional he was and how he has influenced their careers. His footprint will live on in many of the surveyors he has worked with throughout his career, including mine.

A memorial for Skip will be held in Isleton, CA on the afternoon of July 28th.

[land butcher]

Sad news indeed. R.I.P Skip.

[TTaylor]

A sad day for all of us in the Land Surveying community.

I will always remember him for his professionalism and, from my perspective, kind attitude and behavior.

I will always remember him and his passion for his red corvette.

[Lee Hixson]

I got to work with Skip for a while, in Pleasanton, with URS. Surveyor of the highest level. Very nice guy.

[Lee Hixson]

P.S. Thanks for including that great photo of Skip. It's my background now....

[Scott Tikalsky]

Brian;

I am so sorry for your family's loss. Skip was a great surveyor and more importantly a wonderful person. I am proud to have been able to work for him, off and on, over the last 20 years. Please know that your family is in my family's hearts and prayers.

God Bless

[E_Page]

My condolences to Skip's family and friends. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I didn't know Skip personally, but know many who did. He seems to have been universally liked and respected. I have appreciated the comments he shared on this forum and will miss his input.

[Hector S. Estrada]

It’s been a real honor and pleasure to work with your dad “SKIPâ€￾ at URS.
Skip was a Gentleman and a Great Surveyor.
He will be missed; our prayers and thought are with you and your family.
Hector
LSIT3915

[gene stum]

To the family and friends of Skip Christensen I send my deepest sympathy for your loss.

Skip and I became very close as we marketed Vangarde here on the east coast back in the '90's. I admired him for his dedication to the profession and to his work.

He offered to take me sailing if I ever made it to California. Just couldn't find the time to share in his enjoyment for sailing.

From the URS/Greiner family of surveyors, we remember and thank him for all he did in representing us to the corporate heirarchy and standing up for our professional needs within the company.

[PLS7393]

I had the opportunity to talk to Skip a number of times over the years. Never had the opportunity to work for him, but I know he will be missed by the surveying community. My sympathy goes out to his entire family. R.I.P. Skip.