Alfred Wendell “Buster” Christensen passed away on Sunday, May 23, 2021, surrounded by his family’s love.
Buster was born in Monticello, Utah, on Dec. 23, 1935, to Alfred and Margaret (Atherton). He lived and attended school there until he enlisted in the United States Army in 1957. He was a graduate of the class of 1954, enjoying being the left-handed pitcher in baseball and playing basketball. He continued to enjoy watching these sports after he retired.
Buster met the love of his life, Brenda (Gerstner) in Monticello and she would become his wife in 1959 upon his honorable discharge. They recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary. Family was the most important thing to Buster and he shared his life with three children: Doug, Kris and Kaye.
After marrying Brenda, he went to work at Boyles Bros. Drilling Company for his father-in-law, sinking shafts and tunnels across the United States. He did this for years and eventually went to work mining uranium underground. He worked for United Nuclear in Grants, New Mexico, and the Atlas Corporation and Rio Algom Mining Corporation in Moab. After the uranium boom ended, he lived in Carlin, Nevada, and worked for Newmont Gold Company until he retired. His home was in Moab and that is where he lived out his life.
Buster was very passionate about cars: buying them, driving them and fixing them. He was quite the mechanic and you could often find the local kids parked out front with Buster diagnosing their latest auto issue. He also spent endless hours driving those cars taking his family and friends wherever they needed to go. He was a taxi driver and he didn’t even know it.
He loved taking his family and friends into the mountains where everyone gathered around for his Dutch-oven chicken and potatoes. They were so loved that he built a pit in the backyard for the times the mountain was not close enough.
Above all, he was most dedicated to his family. His wisdom and guidance was shared with his children and many other kids that were drawn to him and the home that he and Brenda had created. He was a supportive, strong, kind and loving father. He was also a mentor to any child that wanted his advice.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, David; his son, Doug; his daughter, Kaye; his twin grandchildren, Matthew and Eric; his nephews, Kelly and David Joe; and several other close family members.
He leaves behind his loving wife and companion, Brenda; his daughter, Kris Lawley; sister, Arlene Rogers; niece, Marci Stephens; nephew, Jeff Rogers; his grandchildren Dustin White, Jesse Knight, Aaron (Katie) Lawley, Ethan (LaShay) Whiting and Ian (Morgan) Whiting; and his great-grandchildren, Jazlyn, Derrick, Jaevyn, Rylan, Jasper and Rexton.
The family would like to thank Dr. Munger and staff at Moab Regional Hospital for the kindness and compassion shown to Buster in his final days. You may post your condolences to the family at www.spanishvalleymortuary.com.
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