Robert Juel Christiansen, 84, of Bethlehem, passed away at the Moravian Village Healthcare Center and went to heaven on August 19, 2018.

Born in Staten Island, NY, Robert was the son of the late Tellef and Florence (Carlson) Christiansen.  He married the late Dorothy Noordzy on April 10, 1955 and was her loving husband for 57 years.

Robert graduated from City College of New York with a degree in Civil Engineering and later graduated from Lehigh University with a Master of Business Administration degree.  After graduating from City College, Robert took a job working for Bethlehem Steel and remained there in various capacities until his retirement in 1992.

While Robert attended City College, he was in the ROTC program.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as captain in the Corps of Engineers.

Robert was very involved in his faith and was highly committed to helping others grow in their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ.  He was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church and then First Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem. He was involved in teaching Sunday School, running Lay Witness Missions, Northeast Ministries, church leadership, small group ministries, Bethlehem Area Council of Churches and Stephen Ministries.  Robert and his wife Dorothy were instrumental in bringing Young Life into the Lehigh Valley, and through the years, they hosted many international students in their home. When they were younger, Robert and Dorothy were part of a short-term mission trip at an orphanage in Namibia, Africa.

Robert and Dorothy enjoyed many happy times at their summer cabin in Ontario and camping with their family on Assateague Island. After retiring, Robert and his wife traveled to Switzerland, Norway, Israel and Nova Scotia.

Robert is survived by his four daughters, Susan, wife of George Reed of Zionsville, PA; Dorothy, wife of Gary Baker of Eighty Four, PA; Lisa, wife of Martin Coyne of Bloomsburg, PA; Ruth Ann, wife of Gordon Slippy of Murrysville, PA; his son, Robert, husband of Anne (Schultz) Christiansen, of Bethlehem; 15 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

Services : A celebration of Robert's life will be held at Grace Church, 521 E. Locust Street, Bethlehem, PA at 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2018.

Special Thanks: Robert's children would like to thank the staff at Moravian Village Healthcare Center, St. Luke's Hospital and St. Luke's Hospice for the loving care they provided for their father.

Contributions :  Donations can be made, in memory of Robert, to Grace Church, Bethlehem, 521 East Locust Street, Bethlehem, PA  18018 or St. Luke's Hospice, Development Office, 801 Ostrum Street,, Bethlehem, PA  18015