BANGOR and SPRING HILL, Fla. – Herbert H. Christen, 66, went to be with the Lord March 15, 2012. Herb was born July 19, 1945, in Weinfelden, Switzerland, to Hans and Emily Christen.
He studied drafting at Sulzer Bros., Winterhur, Switzerland, and used that education to obtain a job at Terry Steambine in Connecticut and later at Morse Manufacturing in Massachusetts. Herb leveraged his knowledge, experience and ambition to create his own company, Northeast Hydraulics in New Hampshire. There he not only invented, but improved upon the many intricate parts used on bucket trucks and other hydraulic apparatuses. He was very proud to be a naturalized U.S. citizen with dual citizenship. He was also very proud to have fulfilled his dream of flying by receiving his pilot’s license in the U.S. despite only having one eye. Herb loved to travel and was able to speak at least six different languages. He was known for his vast knowledge in aviation, history and military history. He was not able to be in the military but showed his patriotism by being a troop greeter at Bangor International Airport. He also loved to talk war stories with the veterans at the McDonald’s Breakfast Club in Brewer.
He is survived by his companion of 17 years, Lorna Davis of Bangor; daughter, Heidi Christen of Boston; and former wife, Nancy Christen of Natick, Mass. In Switzerland he leaves his mother, Emily; brother, Hans Peter; sister, Marlis; half brother, Hansweirlie; stepmother, Maria; several nieces and nephews.
Herb will be buried at a later date at Forest Hill Cemetery, Harrington. Anyone who would like to read more of his life history or leave a story or tribute to him may do so at Herbert-Christen.forevermissed.com.