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Paul Christiansen, 1932-2007

Paul Arthur Christiansen, 75, formerly of Mount Vernon, Iowa, died on Tuesday, October 2, 2007, at his home in retirement, Cottage Grove Place, in Cedar Rapids following a long illness.

He was born in Mitchell County, Iowa, on June 7, 1932, to Myrtle (nee Hanson) and Carl Christiansen. Following high school at Rudd, Iowa, and a term of service in the United States Navy, Paul married Barbara JoAnn Lindley on June 25, 1955. Paul taught high school biology in Humboldt, Iowa, after completing a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Iowa. He earned a master of science degree at the University of Oregon.

In 1967 he completed the Ph.D. at Iowa State University and that same year joined the faculty of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, as a professor of biology where his career spanned nearly four decades.

Professionally, Dr. Christiansen will be remembered for his seminal research in prairie ecology and his work in the classroom, the field, and the laboratory. He earned the recognition and respect of his peers as an expert in prairie ecology and prairie restoration. He spearheaded the research into prairie establishment in Iowa’s roadsides, ultimately resulting in the establishment of the Iowa Living Roadway Trust Fund. Paul subsequently served on the advisory board to the Trust Fund for several years.

He authored numerous articles and wrote an invaluable resource book, "An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants," with illustrator Mark Muller.

Paul was instrumental in reviving interest in The Nature Conservancy in Iowa and served as president of that organization and on the Board of Trustees for 34 years. He also served as member and president of the board of directors of the Iowa Academy of Science and was a recipient of the Academy’s Distinguished Service Award in 1996.

In 1985, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad appointed him to the Iowa State Preserves Advisory Board where he served until 1991, including serving as chair. In 1999, he was appointed by Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack to the Iowa Natural Resource Commission, a position he held until 2005.

Paul also served on the Mount Vernon Community School Board from 1971 to 1983. He was also a member of the Indian Creek Nature Center’s Board of Trustees and was honored in 2006 with the establishment of the Paul Christiansen Prairie at the Nature Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Paul is survived by his wife Barbara; his sons Dana (Elizabeth) of Iowa City, Iowa; and Scot (Jane) of Edgewood, Iowa; his two grandsons Carl Christiansen and John Christiansen, also of Edgewood; his sisters Nancy (Dale) Folkerts, Dorothy (Francis) Schmidt, Helen Randolph; brother George Christiansen; and 11 nieces and nephews.

His students will remember him as a gifted teacher, his friends will miss his steadfast companionship, and his family will treasure his devoted attention.

A memorial celebration is planned for Sunday, October 14, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. in King Chapel on the Cornell College campus in Mount Vernon, with a reception following in Cole Library.

In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation to a Memorial Fund established at Mount Vernon Bank and Trust Company.