Arimo…Alan New Christensen, 80, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2019 at his daughter’s home in Orem, Utah, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born May 14, 1938, the oldest child of Dolph and Ida Louise New Christensen. His early years were spent on the family homestead in Robin, ID. At the age of 5 the family moved to Arimo where Alan attended elementary school.

Milking cows, helping in the fields, growing an award winning garden, and shooting BB guns were all a part of Alan’s growing up. He enjoyed telling stories of ice skating on the Marsh Creek meadows, fishing the local streams, hunting deer in the fall with family and friends, and encounters with a variety of barnyard critters.

After graduating from Marsh Valley High School in 1956, Alan attended Idaho State University and Utah State University earning degrees in science and education. He also served 2 years in the Northern California Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Shortly after returning home Alan met Tamara Richards at a church dance. They married in the Logan LDS Temple in 1963 and moved to Dayton, ID. He taught at West Side High School for several years. In 1975 a final move was made to Robin, Idaho. Alan operated the farm, taught at Marsh Valley High School, and drove the school bus.

Alan’s teaching career spanned 42 years. His primary subjects were physics, chemistry and math. He felt a strong obligation to teach students problem solving skills and constructive thinking, and he inspired many youth to pursue careers in science related fields. Students were particularly amused by his antics in the chemistry lab where he earned the nickname “MacGyver.”

As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Alan served wherever he was called including Bishop, teacher, the stake presidency, and most difficult, cubmaster. After retiring as an educator, Alan and Tamara fulfilled a lifelong goal by serving a mission in Nauvoo, Ill in 2010-2011.

Raising crops brought Alan great pleasure (when his machinery worked). He often said that his children were the best crop ever raised on the farm. He appreciated timely rainstorms and green alfalfa fields. He enjoyed skeet shooting, fishing, and pheasant hunting. His guilty pleasures were dark chocolate, black licorice, and cherry chocolate milkshakes. Above all Alan enjoyed being a husband, father, and grandfather and was happiest when attending activities with his children and grandchildren.

Alan is survived by his wife of 55 years, Tamara, and children Sue Ann Christensen, Lynn Christensen (Angeline), Scott Christensen (Renae), Greg Christensen (Tannika), Kevin Christensen (Janelle), and Bryce Christensen (Jamie), sister, Rita Bringhurst (Wayne), brother Noel Christensen (Jacque); 25 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A viewing for Alan will be held Friday, January 18, 2019 from 6:30 to 8 pm and Saturday, January 19 from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the Arimo, Idaho Stake Center, 286 Henderson Avenue. Funeral services will begin at 11 am.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful employees of Access/Signature Hospice of Pocatello and Brighton/Bristol Hospice of Orem, Utah for their compassionate and loving care.