Robert D. Christopher

Robert (Bob) Donald Christopher, 85 resident of Cornville, AZ. Born on July 26, 1921 in Eagle Grove, Iowa. He was the forth of five children born to Edward and Molly Christopher. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove. He graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1939 and attended Iowa State University until the start of World War II. In 1942 he joined the Navy and served on the USS Essex aircraft carrier in the South Pacific as a Seaman First Class until the end of the war. He married Arlene Wooster on March 17, 1944 while on leave. After the war, they worked on the Christopher family farm where their two children were born; Christine in 1947 and Bruce in 1955. The family then moved to Phoenix where Bob started Industrial Refrigeration, Inc. and built a successful enterprise before retiring to Cornville in 1982. Bob and Arlene were inseparable and travel everywhere together. They visited friends in Sweden, fished for Halibut in Alaska, and vacationed with friends on a Mexico cruise ship. In the mid 80's Bob was a founding member of the Mighty Midgets of Arizona and won several races with his midget race car, number 44. Bob was always leading the crew at their patio parties and holiday gatherings. He enjoyed playing the organ and organizing neighborhood dances in Phoenix. Not one to sit still and retire with his feet up, Bob became avid roper and quickly earned the respect of his fellow cowboys as an expert heeler. With the nick name "Tough Cowboy" he won several trophies and awards while roping throughout the Verde Valley. He joined the Verde Vaquero's in the mid 90's and helped the organization with their spring trail ride for many years. In recent years, Bob became a member of the Arizona Flywheelers and the Verde Valley Corvette Club. He had fond memories of showing his 1960 Corvette throughout the state. Bob passed away at home of natural causes on September 26 and will be missed by his family and friends. He is survived by son Bruce Christopher with his wife, Christy Hertzberg, of Soquel, CA; his daughter Christine Chapman of Rimrock, and five grandchildren; Christopher Chapman, Erin Honorio, Abby Christopher, Robert Chapman, and Susan Christopher. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 30 in the Westcott Funeral Home at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com