Richard Gertz Christensen

1930 - 2020

Richard Gertz Christensen passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2020 after reaching the age of 90. After months of declining health, he died of natural causes peacefully within his home in Gardnerville Nevada with his adoring children and God daughter (Rick, Claudia and Kristen) by his side.

Dick was born in 1930 in San Pedro, CA to Jens and Anna Christensen. As a boy Dick grew up bicycling to the nearest fire station and building anything he could get his hands on. He learned very early in life the value of working hard and preparing for the future. He spent a good deal of his days teaching himself how to build and fix all things.

While attending high school in 1948 he met the love of his life, Virginia Neal. After high school they got married and started their first life together building a family. For the next 30 years they would enjoy their time together and their children in San Pedro, CA. Dick accepted a role on the Los Angeles Fire Department where he was known as Crunchy throughout his working years. In his time away from the station he also co-owned an Auto Parts store in downtown San Pedro and become a Mastor Mason with the Masonic Lodge. Dick and Virginia also became avid skeet shooters and won more trophies than could fit on all their walls. Dick’s love of fixing things and helping people continued throughout. Dick retired from the LAFD in 1979 as an Engineer on Fireboat 2 in San Pedro.

In 1980 they started the next chapter in their lives when they moved to Gardnerville, NV. Virginia had always wanted horses so Dick being the kind and generous man he was did just that for her. Little did they know they would soon become Kerry Lane Farms where they would also raise and breed llamas for the next 40 years. Dick also found himself in the real estate business, riding horses, teaching himself how to own and manage a farm, enjoying many motorcycle trips around the US and spending most Sundays at the golf course. He and his wife also continued their foray into skeet shooting. At one point their farm housed geese, dogs, llamas, horses, cats and even the stray bear every once in a while. They also looked forward to the trips from their family. Many summers were spent with their grandchildren (Jennifer, Kimmie, Erik and Brianne) and Dick even had the opportunity to have their great grandchildren (Kade, Kyler, Maddie and Evan) on the farm with him. They built an amazing life with many amazing friends in an amazing town that they called home until the last moments on this earth.

When his beloved wife Virginia passed in 2010 he continued to care for his llamas and the family. He took it upon himself to make sure all his children and grandchildren were always cared for and loved. He also continued to fix anything that was broken, manage the farm, woke up early as not to waste the day, took motorcycle trips on Saturday, supported America and anything conservative, voted, loved having coffee with friends, was a great storyteller and loved having his family up to visit. He lived a full life and always said it was the one he would have chosen if he was given a choice.

Dick is survived by his children, Rick & (Jan ) and Claudia, four grandchildren, Jennifer, Kimmie & (Jonathan) Erik & (Jenny), and Brianne and four great grandchildren, Maddie, Evan, Kade and Kyler Richard (who is named after Dick).