Obituary of Kenneth Robert Christensen

Kenneth Robert Christensen Sr PENN YAN: Kenneth Robert Christensen Sr, age 88, passed away peacefully on Saturday October 18, 2014 at his home on Keuka Lake. Honoring his wishes there are no prior calling hours. A Celebration of His Life will be held on Keuka Lake at the Viking Resort on a future date to be announced. Born on May 29, 1926; in Penn Yan, NY a son of the late Christen Robert, and Sigrid Vitbrew Christensen; He grew up and attended high school in Penn Yan. Ken joined the 96th Deadeyes Infantry Division in 1944-1946 and fought valiantly for his country as a sharpshooter and forward observer in Leyte, Philippines and Okinawa, Japan during WWII. The exploits of his division are recorded on http://www.96thdeadeyes.org/ After the war, Ken traveled to New Orleans where he met and married Rose Wermann Walker, had two children and started a pool construction company, the earliest of his businesses. In 1961, the family moved back to Penn Yan where they built the Viking Resort on Keuka Lake. Generations of families continue to vacation at the Viking Resort. In his sixties Ken explored the Caribbean in the off season and built a small dive resort, "The Castaways" in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ken loved the water and was an avid sailor, owning and sinking numerous boats, rebuilding several A and E scows, vintage motor boats, Chris Crafts amongst many others. He was always ready to take guests out for a sail or a cruise or a ski. He designed and built by hand the Viking Spirit tour boat which cruised Keuka Lake for 21 years. He water-skied, usually jump-starting off a dock or diving board and skiing in to step on shore so his slacks didn't get wet. In his earlier days, he also flew small planes. Ken is survived by his son, Kenneth Robert Christensen Jr. of Penn Yan, NY; his daughter, Karen Ingrid Christensen (Jeffrey Lawton) of Santa Barbara, CA; his sister, Bernice Morris Olsen of Marathon FL; his grandchildren Kenneth Robert Christensen III (Lindsay) and Andarlene Elizabeth Edwards; his great grandson Blake Robert Christensen, and his nieces, Linda Mertsock and Bonnie Morris. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Ontario-Yates County Hospice Assoc. 756 Pre-Emption Rd. Geneva, NY 14456; or the charity of your choice. Arrangements were entrusted to the Baird Funeral Home 36 Water St. Dundee, NY; online condolences may be left on Ken Christensen Sr.'s online guest book at http://www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com .