It is with great sadness that we inform all Lee Alumni  that Capt. Martin Christie passed away on Saturday, 11 October, 2008.  A memorial service will be held at the Fr. Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego , California at 11 AM on Tuesday, October 21, 2008.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Ex-POW Organization, C/O Ercell Stout, 494B Bannister Way , Simi Valley , CA 93065 . 

Capt. Christie taught biology at Robert E. Lee High School from 1962 to 1964 and was the chairman of the Science Department at Jefferson High School from 1965 to 1966. 

Capt. Christie enlisted in the Marines at the beginning of WWII and was serving in Corregidor when he and his unit were captured by the Japanese.  He was held as a POW and confined to a number of camps throughout the south Pacific until finally moved to Japan where he was rescued by American forces at the end of the war.  Following his release he reenlisted and then went to Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Marine officer.  After 20 years he retired as a Marine Captain and pursued teaching as a second career.  During the Vietnam war, Capt. Christie felt the urge to be closer to the military action and joined the United States Assistance to International Development and served in China , Philippines , Japan , and Vietnam .  While in Vietnam he married his second wife, Rosie, and started a second family.  Eventually he retired from active employment but continued to as an active tutor in tennis clubs in California .  He remained actively involved in Marine and POW associations.  Three years ago he sent me an advanced copy of a DVD that was made for the Military History channel that featured he and several other WWII POWS.  That small group met regularly at their local VFW and often attended national conventions where possible.  Ten years ago I had the honor to assist Capt. Christie in arranging for a Marine Color Guard for the opening and closing ceremonies at their POW convention in Orlando ; and we were glad to have him stay in our home as he visited his POW comrades in the Tampa Bay area.  

Capt. Christie remained sharp as a tack throughout his retirement life. We exchanged emails several times a week over the past ten years, and he would occasionally call me just to resolve times, places, and people from days gone by.  His Lee yearbooks must be have thoroughly worn covers as he often would go through them to try to figure out maiden names and faces of alumni who now have married names.  He relished his attendance at a Lee alumni picnic and reunion a few years ago....and wished that he could attend the fiftieth.   

Capt. Christie called us every Christmas and New Year's morning....and was just as eager to talk with Diana as he was with me.  He was deeply moved by all who remembered him and was genuinely, and humbly surprised by even the smallest gesture of remembrance.  Yet, I am sure that many of his students will just as fondly remember him, and possibly even with a grin, and their being a recipient of a flying wet sponge while sitting in his biology class.

 May he Rest in Peace.  He definitely wrote with indelible ink when he autographed the pages of our mind!

Paul Sims