Lorimer “Chris” Christensen passed away on July 6, 2022 after his ongoing battle with Alzheimer’s. His mind was always incredibly sharp, and because of this and his desire to learn or accomplish something new every day, this diagnosis was a hard pill to swallow. He found humor, however, until the very end, as he could be seen dancing with his walker down the halls of the Sunrise Senior Living Facility, maintaining his quick wit, and expressing his famous sayings that would make us all laugh.
Chris was born on September 1st, 1935 in Spanish Fork, Utah to Lorimer Simmons Christensen and Phyllis Tanner Christensen. He also was blessed with a sister, Kay Jacobson. He began his goal-driven life as the Senior Class President at his high school, loved his drama classes, excelled at shorthand, and was an incredible dancer. He made it to the ranks of Eagle Scout as well as becoming an accomplished pianist.
Chris served in the military in the Utah and California National Guards and received an honorable discharge as Captain USAR in 1965. He received his BS Degree at Brigham Young University and went on to the University of Utah Medical School. After graduation, he moved to San Francisco for his Residency in Pediatrics & Allergy at Kaiser Foundation Hospital. Chris began practicing medicine in 1965 and was the co-founder of the Intermountain Allergy and Asthma Clinic in 1971, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Chris met the love of his life, Barbara Coulam, when she came into his office to get treatment for her allergies. He was brave enough to ask her to go out to lunch with him. The rest is history. They went dancing and have been dancing together ever since for the last 39 years. They combined their families together which included the children from his first marriage to Claudette Bigler; Carrie Fossati, Suzanne Franz, Sonny Bigler and Michelle Page and Barbara’s two children, Jennifer Kjar and Jeff Coulam. They also sponsored and had living with them 2 “bonus” daughters from Albania, Brikena Ribaj and Gerta Weimer. They have 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren who all love and adore “Grandpa Chris.” He has made such an impression on his posterity and has set the standard on how to “live life” by the example he showed us.
Chris maintained his medical practice for 30 years, and then went to work full-time for the Humanitarian Services of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been blessed to help bring Neonatal Resuscitation Training (NRT) to tens of thousands of birth attendants (doctors, nurses, traditional birth attendants and midwives). They trained medical personnel in China, Thailand, Albania (where they lived for a summer), South America, Ghana, Nigeria and Samoa. President Hinckley declared in Priesthood Meeting of General Conference, April 2004, “The lives of thousands of babies will be spared.” Ensign, May 2004, 58. Chris said that he felt like his medical training was meant for this service and received more satisfaction in heading up this program than the 30 years of practicing medicine. It was truly a calling from his heart. Chris also served in the bishopric in the Monument Park 1st Ward.
Chris will be honored on Saturday, July 23rd at 10:30AM at the Monument Park Ward Chapel at 1005 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. A graveside service will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary after the service. There will be a viewing prior to the service at 9:30 at the Monument Park Ward Chapel.
