Ronald R. Christianson

North Attleboro, Massachusetts
Ronald R. Christianson, 89, of North Attleboro, MA, a retired music educator who taught for 42 years in the North Attleboro Public Schools, died Saturday, September 5, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, MA. Christianson moved to North Attleboro after graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1951, and lived there ever since.
Prior to his Conservatory studies, Christianson served in World War II with the 36th Infantry Division. His unit saw combat in southern Germany and also liberated the Kaufering subcamps of the Dachau concentration camp in the Munich outskirts on April 30, 1945. Christianson bore witness to unspeakable atrocities of man's inhumanity to man, yet upon his return to the US he dedicated his life and study to the beauty and inspiration of music and the education of generations of students.
Christianson met his wife, the late accomplished pianist Florence "Goldie" Haigis Luippold Christianson, at New England Conservatory, and together they raised sons Ronald R. Christianson, Jr. and David W. Christianson. Daughter Karen E. Christianson, David's twin sister, passed away at age 1.
Highlights of Christianson's career in the North Attleboro Public Schools include the development of the marching band and concert band programs in the 1950's. He received state-wide recognition for his innovative work with all the high school performing groups, including invited performances in Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory in the 1960's. Under Christianson's direction, high school performing groups, especially the girls a capella choir, received numerous district and state awards over the years. Additionally, Christianson coached many students who were selected for Southeast District, All-State, and All-Eastern US performing groups. Christianson also served as President of the Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble based at New England Conservatory.
Over the years, Christianson inspired many of his students to pursue careers in teaching, and this inspiration began at home. His son Ronald Jr. is the retired Director of Music and Fine Arts for the Stoughton Public Schools. His son David is the Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Chemistry and Chemical Biology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and the Elizabeth S. and Richard M. Cashin Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
Christianson enjoyed his retirement years in North Attleboro, and was a voracious reader and crossword enthusiast. His hobbies included oil painting, woodworking, and crafting elegant dollhouses for his granddaughters. He particularly enjoyed visits with his grandchildren Julie Christianson Barry of Quincy, Sarah Christianson Landers of Dedham, James Christianson of Plainville, Karen Christianson of Media, PA, and Nicolas Christianson of Media, PA. In recent years, Christianson enjoyed his time with great-grandchildren Lilah Barry, Julian Christianson, Jackson Christianson, and Lucy Landers.
Christianson's granddaughter Karen will present an organ recital in his memory at the Münchner Dom in Munich, Germany, on Wednesday, September 9, at 7:00 pm. A funeral service for Christianson will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, 104 N. Washington Street, North Attleboro, MA, on Saturday, September 12, at 10 am. Internment with military honors will be at the Aaron Clark Cemetery in Turners Falls, MA, on Sunday, September 13, 2015 @ 1:00PM, with Rev. Heather Blais, Pastor of St. James Church, Greenfield, MA to officiate.  Military honors will be observed, with members of the 54^th Massachusetts Army National Guard in attendance, assisted by the Hale-Clapp VFW Post #3295 of South Deerfield, MA providing a firing detail. 
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Christianson's name may be made to the North Attleboro High School Friends of Music, 1 Wilson W. Whitty Way, North Attleboro, MA 02760, or to the New England Conservatory of Music, 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.  Assisting the Christianson family are the Sperry & McHoul Funeral Home of North Attleboro, MA, with local arrangements entrusted to the McCarthy Funeral Homes of Greenfield and Turners Falls, MA.  Guest book and condolence message available at www.mccarthyfuneralhomes.com

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