Theodore (Ted) Christie, Jr. of Landenberg, died on Dec. 25, from natural causes after a brief illness. He was 91 years old. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marjorie Christie.
Ted was born in Bridgeport, Conn., where his father was a florist and his mother a bookkeeper. As a teenager, he moved with his family to Cresskill, N.J., and attended Tenafly High School. In 1958, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University School of Engineering. He went on to earn a PhD through graduate work at Cornell and Temple. His dissertation applied statistical research to improving the efficiency and reliability of drug testing procedures.
For many years, Ted taught mathematics and statistics at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown.
After retiring from teaching, Ted moved with his wife, Marjorie to Landenberg, where they bought a historic house and kept beloved horses and cats. Their shared appreciation for Baroque music led them to become regulars at Brandywine Baroque concerts. The gourmet cooking skills they developed together made invitations to dinner at their home highly coveted.
Ted served for over 20 years as a member of the New Garden Township Historical Commission and, for a term, as its chairman. He was master of ceremonies for the 2010 reopening of the Landenberg Bridge as well as memorable township “history nights,” and his careful monitoring of the internet marketplace for historic artifacts related to southeastern Chester County brought marvelous items to the Commission’s attention.
Ted was a generous and affable friend known for his dry wit and wise observations. He will be missed by all who knew him.
No services or interment are planned at this time.
Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square. To view his online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
