Richard (Dick) Christie, 91, of Pompano Beach, FL passed away on December 8, 2020 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Dick was born on June 16, 1929 to Nicholas and Helen (Scally) Christie in Elizabeth, NJ. After graduating from Union Township High School in 1947, he joined Standard Oil’s newly formed computer department for what would become a 39 year career. Ironically, rather than selecting this position based on his vision of the emerging computing field, he chose the computer operator job because it was located in the only air conditioned rooms in the office building. While working he would also go on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University. In his spare time Dick played the clarinet and saxophone in a dance band and would work the local church socials circuit. He would recall that while his band would play a variety of songs, it was during the slow dances that the pastors would take the band leader aside and encourage them to play polkas “to boost beer sales.” After a few years’ sabbatical serving in the army during the Korean Conflict, Dick returned to Jersey Standard where he met Eleanor Bolen who would later become his wife of 51 years. Dick was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend who generously shared his time and talents and took particular care of those close to him with special needs. After raising their family in NJ, Dick and Eleanor retired to Pompano Beach and were active members of the Virginian Co-op community.
Dick enjoyed doing household projects, bowling, casino gambling and gardening and would joke that his final wishes were to be scattered around his tomato plants. However, he was especially fond of golf. He loved attending professional tournaments with his golfing buddies and would often share stories of his close encounters with golfing greats Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino.
Dick is survived by his three sons, Richard Jr and James of Pompano Beach and Robert and his wife, Alison of Holmdel, NJ. He is also survived by his two wonderful grandchildren, Samantha Christie of Davis, CA and Robert Christie Jr of Holmdel, NJ. Dick is preceded in death by his wife Eleanor, and his parents. A private, final farewell is planned.
Dick was born on June 16, 1929 to Nicholas and Helen (Scally) Christie in Elizabeth, NJ. After graduating from Union Township High School in 1947, he joined Standard Oil’s newly formed computer department for what would become a 39 year career. Ironically, rather than selecting this position based on his vision of the emerging computing field, he chose the computer operator job because it was located in the only air conditioned rooms in the office building. While working he would also go on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University. In his spare time Dick played the clarinet and saxophone in a dance band and would work the local church socials circuit. He would recall that while his band would play a variety of songs, it was during the slow dances that the pastors would take the band leader aside and encourage them to play polkas “to boost beer sales.” After a few years’ sabbatical serving in the army during the Korean Conflict, Dick returned to Jersey Standard where he met Eleanor Bolen who would later become his wife of 51 years. Dick was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend who generously shared his time and talents and took particular care of those close to him with special needs. After raising their family in NJ, Dick and Eleanor retired to Pompano Beach and were active members of the Virginian Co-op community.
Dick enjoyed doing household projects, bowling, casino gambling and gardening and would joke that his final wishes were to be scattered around his tomato plants. However, he was especially fond of golf. He loved attending professional tournaments with his golfing buddies and would often share stories of his close encounters with golfing greats Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino.
Dick is survived by his three sons, Richard Jr and James of Pompano Beach and Robert and his wife, Alison of Holmdel, NJ. He is also survived by his two wonderful grandchildren, Samantha Christie of Davis, CA and Robert Christie Jr of Holmdel, NJ. Dick is preceded in death by his wife Eleanor, and his parents. A private, final farewell is planned.
Richard (Dick) Christie, 91, of Pompano Beach, FL passed away on December 8, 2020 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Dick was born on June 16, 1929 to Nicholas and Helen (Scally) Christie in Elizabeth, NJ. After graduating from Union Township High School in 1947, he joined Standard Oil’s newly formed computer department for what would become a 39 year career. Ironically, rather than selecting this position based on his vision of the emerging computing field, he chose the computer operator job because it was located in the only air conditioned rooms in the office building. While working he would also go on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University. In his spare time Dick played the clarinet and saxophone in a dance band and would work the local church socials circuit. He would recall that while his band would play a variety of songs, it was during the slow dances that the pastors would take the band leader aside and encourage them to play polkas “to boost beer sales.” After a few years’ sabbatical serving in the army during the Korean Conflict, Dick returned to Jersey Standard where he met Eleanor Bolen who would later become his wife of 51 years. Dick was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend who generously shared his time and talents and took particular care of those close to him with special needs. After raising their family in NJ, Dick and Eleanor retired to Pompano Beach and were active members of the Virginian Co-op community.
Dick enjoyed doing household projects, bowling, casino gambling and gardening and would joke that his final wishes were to be scattered around his tomato plants. However, he was especially fond of golf. He loved attending professional tournaments with his golfing buddies and would often share stories of his close encounters with golfing greats Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino.
Dick is survived by his three sons, Richard Jr and James of Pompano Beach and Robert and his wife, Alison of Holmdel, NJ. He is also survived by his two wonderful grandchildren, Samantha Christie of Davis, CA and Robert Christie Jr of Holmdel, NJ. Dick is preceded in death by his wife Eleanor, and his parents. A private, final farewell is planned.
Dick was born on June 16, 1929 to Nicholas and Helen (Scally) Christie in Elizabeth, NJ. After graduating from Union Township High School in 1947, he joined Standard Oil’s newly formed computer department for what would become a 39 year career. Ironically, rather than selecting this position based on his vision of the emerging computing field, he chose the computer operator job because it was located in the only air conditioned rooms in the office building. While working he would also go on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University. In his spare time Dick played the clarinet and saxophone in a dance band and would work the local church socials circuit. He would recall that while his band would play a variety of songs, it was during the slow dances that the pastors would take the band leader aside and encourage them to play polkas “to boost beer sales.” After a few years’ sabbatical serving in the army during the Korean Conflict, Dick returned to Jersey Standard where he met Eleanor Bolen who would later become his wife of 51 years. Dick was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend who generously shared his time and talents and took particular care of those close to him with special needs. After raising their family in NJ, Dick and Eleanor retired to Pompano Beach and were active members of the Virginian Co-op community.
Dick enjoyed doing household projects, bowling, casino gambling and gardening and would joke that his final wishes were to be scattered around his tomato plants. However, he was especially fond of golf. He loved attending professional tournaments with his golfing buddies and would often share stories of his close encounters with golfing greats Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino.
Dick is survived by his three sons, Richard Jr and James of Pompano Beach and Robert and his wife, Alison of Holmdel, NJ. He is also survived by his two wonderful grandchildren, Samantha Christie of Davis, CA and Robert Christie Jr of Holmdel, NJ. Dick is preceded in death by his wife Eleanor, and his parents. A private, final farewell is planned.
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