Christiansen, Robert Alan
September 26, 1947 – November 11, 2019
Age 72 of St. Paul, passed away of metastatic melanoma on November 11, 2019. He began his radio career at Northern Illinois University while pursuing a B.A. in History. From there he traveled to Phoenix for a 14 year stint with KHEP and then to Northwest Public Radio at Washington State University. He retired from Minnesota Public Radio after a 51 year career as a classical music host for the quieter pursuit of genealogy. Bob was preceded in death by the 4th great grandfather of the wife of his 12th great uncle on his mother’s side…King Gustav I of Sweden …along with his parents, Harry and Margaret (Iri Margrata) Christiansen and several half brothers and sisters. He is survived by cousin Stan Christiansen and the entire Christiansen clan as well as Greg(Dawn) Todd (Deb) and Teri and the Carlson 44 (& 3/9s) – the children and grandchildren of his half-sister Louise (Phil) Carlson. More importantly were the friends that became his close band of brothers…Bob Leark (from his time in Chicago), David Paine and David Swain (from his days at KHEP, Phoenix, Arizona) and Bill Morelock. Bill and Bob met at the radio station in Pullman, Washington and much more than the syndicated Radio “Bob and Bill” show grew from this meeting. Bill was especially instrumental in walking with Bob thru this last difficult journey. When MPR brought “Bob and Bill” to St. Paul Bob met the rest of his soon-to-be, albeit non-related, family…the co-workers at Classical MPR and America Public Media Classical24. The impromptu gathering, reminiscing, and cello concert at his hospice bedside late at night as he slipped into unresponsiveness was a beautiful tribute to this great man’s life. Thank you. And to neighbor, Monica, who went above and beyond in caring for Bob’s beloved Pippen and Toffee…words cannot express our appreciation. A special thank you as well to the staff at Woodbury Healthcare Center and Health Partners Hospice. Future arrangements will be made for family and friends of Bob to gather and celebrate his life.