Christian Johannes Birkeland, 74
Christian Johannes Birkeland died April 22 in Auburn. He was 74.
Birkeland was born to Valborg Wessel Birkeland and Gunnar Michael Christian Birkeland in Oslo, Norway in June, 1933.
After sailing around the African continent with the Norwegian merchant marine at age 15, Chris finished trade school and emigrated to the United States in 1957. During his studies at the University of Washington he met his wife Carol. They married in June, 1964.
Birkeland received his master’s degree in engineering at the UW in 1965. He worked for Skillings Engineers, ABAM Engineers, KCM, and for himself as an independent contractor. Among his design accomplishments are the Eklutna Clearwell Resevoir in Anchorage, Alaska, the Magnolia Bluff retaining wall in Seattle, the Municipal Pier in Port Angeles and Space Mountain at Disney World in Orlando, Fla.
Birkeland moved to Bainbridge Island in 1968. He was an avid sailor and active in the Port Madison Yacht Club as member and Commodore. He loved the sea and enjoyed fishing, sailing the San Juans and racing in the Saturday Morning Series. He and his family later resided in Anchorage, Alaska from 1983 to 1986. For the last 20 years, Birkeland lived in Poulsbo, where he spent time with his friends at the Sons of Norway. He was never seen without his yellow lab, Bo.
Birkeland is survived by his three children: Edith (Thomas) Mills and grandchildren Erik, Carol and Patrick of Richmond Hill, Ga; Gunnar (Kristi) Birkeland and granddaughters Jane and Laura of Bellingham; and daughter Christina (Ivan) Opalka and granddaughters Zora and Lucia of Bainbridge Island. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol in 1991, his sister Anne Sophie Eggum in 2003, and his twin brother Gunnar Andreas Birkeland who died April 14.
Services will be held May 2 at 3:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 18920 4th Avenue NE, in Poulsbo. A reception will follow at the Sons of Norway.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to P.A.W.S. at P.O. Box 1037, Lynnwood, WA 98046, or online at www.paws.org/help/donate/.
