Robert ‘Bob ‘Doc’ Christensen, DVM

February 1, 1936 - August 16, 2021

Visitation: Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 pm with family present on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at Anderson Jones Corcoran Funeral Chapel, Harrisburg, SD.

Service: Funeral Service will be held 11:00 am Friday, August 20, 2021 at First Congregational Church, Sioux Falls, SD with interment at 4:00 pm at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Wessington Springs, SD.

Robert ‘Bob’ ‘Doc’ Moller Christensen, passed away Monday, August 16, 2021 at Ava’s Hospice House.  He  was born on February 1, 1936 in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, to Andreas Christensen and Inger Riis Christensen and was the youngest of five children.

He grew up on a farm and was active in 4H, basketball, football and choir.  He attended South Dakota State University and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University in 1964.  Prior to graduating from Iowa State, he served two years in the Army and worked at the Animal Research Laboratory at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.

While at Iowa State University, he met the love of his life, Linda Thorp, and they were married on June 1st, 1963.  They had four children.

Bob was a skilled and caring veterinarian.  He practiced for two years in Elgin, Illinois and then opened Christensen Pet Clinic in Sioux Falls where he practiced until his retirement.

He had a lifelong love of horses and raised registered Quarter Horses for more than 50 years.  He organized and managed the Sioux Falls Quarter Horse Shows for more than 30 years and was a National Director for the American Quarter Horse Association.

Bob was a loving husband and father and always believed in helping those who were less fortunate.  He will be missed.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his four siblings, Jens, Eugene, Edna and Paul.  He is survived by his wife Linda, his four children, Heather (Ernie Bell) of LaCrosse, WI, Eric (Anita) of Indianola, IA, Rob (Betsy) of Rapid City, SD and Andrea (AJ Mese) of Piedmont, SD and twelve grandchildren.

Funeral Service will be held 11:00 am Friday, August 20, 2021 at First Congregational Church, Sioux Falls, SD with interment at 4:00 pm at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Wessington Springs, SD.  Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 pm with family present on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at Anderson Jones Corcoran Funeral Chapel, Harrisburg, SD.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to IBM research through the Myositis Association 6950 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 370, Columbia, MD 21046
(https://www.myositis.org/donate)
View online obit at www.harrisburgchapel.com

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6 messages have been left

  1. Val & Dawn Luckett & Family on August 17, 2021 said:

    Thoughts and prayers to all of you. Bob was a great person

  2. Renee Rebnord on August 17, 2021 said:

    He was always a supporter not just of his children but the entire Harrisburg School District. My heartfelt sympathies to the entire family. He was a wonderful man and he will be missed!

  3. Cecilia Roudabush on August 17, 2021 said:

    With you in spirit Linda, Heather, Eric, Rob, Andrea and family this Friday as you celebrate Bob and his legacy. May joyful memories bring you comfort these next few days and going forward!

  4. Steve (DVM) and Carol Smith on August 18, 2021 said:

    Linda and family,
    We had the greatest respect for Doc. He was a great veterinarian and a good man. Our condolences to your family. He will be greatly missed as he was loved and respected by so many people.

  5. Mike Clites on August 18, 2021 said:

    My deepest sympathy for his family and friends! I had nothing but the greatest respect for ‘Doc’ through all the years that I knew him, whether it was at his horse shows or being with him at the AQHA conventions. He always had beneficial comments in any meeting that he was attending.
    A great mentor.

  6. Marvin Jira on August 19, 2021 said:

    Sorry to hear about Dr. I knew him back in Hs , I was from kimball sd we played basketball against each other,
    When I had the occasion to visit, we talked horses and basketball.He called me on my 80 birthday, we talked for an hour, We wish his family our prayers and sympathy. I am glad to have known this good man,
    Sincerely,
    Marvin Jira and family