The career of Ross D. Christensen, recipient of the 1996 University of Iowa
Dental Alumnus of the Year Award, embodies his aspiration to make a
difference in the worlds he touches: his family, his patients, and the
community. Ross is a dedicated professional, a community activist, a
successful business man and a devoted husband and father. In all its
facets, his life has reflected recognition of the importance of helping
youngsters grow and develop in a supportive environment. A second theme in
Ross Christensen's career has been an interest in developing and preserving
Iowa's historical heritage.
Born in 1940, Ross grew up in the western Iowa town of Atlantic. After high school graduation, he came to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa. He married his wife Patricia Ann in 1962, and in 1964 graduated from the College of Dentistry. Because he knew he wanted to work with young people, Ross turned to the specialty of Orthodontics and in 1966 completed his certificate and Master's degree in that program at Iowa.
Following graduation Ross and Patricia went east where Ross spent
two years working in the Clinical Center at the National Institutes of
Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He considered a career in academics but
ultimately brought his growing family back to Iowa where he became part of
a group practice focused on children in Waterloo. He has shared practice
responsibilities with Drs. Sam O. Christensen, Roger A. Day and Harold F.
Bigelow for twenty-eight years and still looks forward to going to work
every morning. Since 1994 Ross has had the added joy of working with his
son Greg, who joined the practice following his graduation from the Iowa
Orthodontics program in 1994.
Ross has been active in his profession and is a member of the Iowa Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He served as President of the Iowa Society of Orthodontists in 1977 and is a member of the Midwestern Society of Orthodontists, the American Society of Orthodontists and the E. H. Angle Society. He is a member of the Christian Dental Society.
As co-developer/owner of the Heartland Inns and Heartland Midwest Management, Ross has gained experience in the role of business enterprise in the community. He has applied that experience through his service on the Board of Directors of MidAmerican Energy Co. Ross believes in giving something back to the place that has helped him succeed and has brought his professional and business experience to his leadership in efforts to foster community growth.
The list of his contributions to community service is long and varied. An overview of those contributions clearly demonstrates his conviction that the best interests of the community as a whole will be served by giving youngsters a boost. To touch only the highlights: he served as Director of the Boys Club of Waterloo from 1970-76, and as President from 1973-75. He was selected Waterloo's "Citizen of the Year" in 1978. He was a member of the Waterloo Community School Board from 1980 to 1992, twice serving as its President. He served as a Regent of Wartburg College from 1982-1994 and as Chair of the Regents 1992-94. Since 1974, he has served as a Director of the Community Foundation of Waterloo and Northeast Iowa and as a Director of the Waterloo Industrial Development Association. He served as director of the Danish Immigrant Museum from 1992-93, has been a trustee of the R. J. McElroy Trust since 1993, and currently serves as a Director of the Cedar Valley Economic Development Corporation.
Most recently, he has chaired the "Silos and Smokestacks" project. The goal of this project is to foster recognition and development of Northeast Iowa's rich cultural heritage, and to encourage Iowans and visitors from across the nation and the world to visit Iowa's historic sites.
Ross Christensen's family has been the center of his life for thirty-four years. He and wife Patricia Ann have three children and five grandchildren. Gregory Paul, lives in Waterloo and practices with his father. He and his wife Dani have two children, Ashlyn Rachel and Benjamin Jacob. Daughter Lisa Sue, a 1989 graduate of Westmont College lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota with her husband, an attorney, and their three children Alexander Ross, Brennan Joseph, and Kate Allison. Daughter Sheryl Lynn, an environmental planner, received her BA degree from the University of Iowa in 1992 and her Master's degree from Oregon State in 1995. She lives in Corvallis and was married just this summer. Her husband is a police officer in Corvallis.
Ross and Pat are strong supporters of the University and members of the UI President's Club. The University of Iowa College of Dentistry Alumni Association is pleased to recognize Ross D. Christensen as its 1996 Dental Alumnus of the Year.
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Last Modified: February 28, 1997