NILS CHRISTENSEN
Aug. 15, 1921 – Aug. 6, 2017
Nils was born in Høvik, Norway and served in the Norwegian Merchant Navy and the Royal Norwegian Air Force in World War II. Nils emigrated to Canada in 1951 and worked for de Havilland Aircraft of Canada and Sault Airways in Ontario, and Victoria Flying Club and Forest Industries Flying Tankers in B.C. Together with his wife Sheila, he established Viking Air Ltd. in 1970.
Nils has been honoured by Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (2012), B.C. Aviation Hall of Fame (2016), Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Hall of Fame (2003), Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal (2012) and the Robert Hope Pursuit of Excellence Award. Nils has also been awarded lifetime memberships to the Royal Canadian Legion and the B.C. Aviation Museum.
Nils was predeceased by his infant son, John Nils. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Sheila; daughters, Randi and Marit; son, Erik; grandchildren, Stephanie, Nils, Jenna and Michelle; and great-granchildren, Dakota, Taylor, Kiersten and Tait.
A Celebration of Nils’ Life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 at 1 pm at the B.C. Aviation Museum, Sidney.