The Rev. Kenneth Christopherson, Ph.D., died Feb. 7 at Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community. He was 89.
Christopherson joined PLU as a religion professor in 1958. His career with the university spanned more than 30 years. After retiring in 1990, Christopherson continued researching the Reformation.
He embodied PLU’s ideals, from his dedication to academic excellence to his commitment to Lutheran heritage.
Off campus, Christopherson was heavily involved with the church, teaching adult classes and graduate courses for clergy.
He was born to Norwegian immigrants and grew up in Irene, South Dakota. He received a bachelor’s degree in religion and philosophy from Augustana College and pursued theological studies at Luther Theological Seminary. He earned a Fulbright Scholarship and studied the Reformation in Norway at the University of Oslo. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.