Capt. Terry Christensen grew up in Warrenton, Oregon ('where the mighty Columbia meets the vast Pacific'). As one might expect, he grew up around boats and spent high school and college summers working in the commercial fishing industry. After earning a degree in physics (from Lewis & Clark College where he was also a middle linebacker), Terry discovered the sport of rugby and continued commercial fishing in the off-season. A series of knee injuries motivated him to take up fishing as a career. Shortly thereafter, Terry transitioned to the Merchant Marine, starting as an Ordinary Seaman and working his way through the ratings until he was qualified to sit for a US Merchant Marine Deck Officers License exam which he passed in 1981. 

In 1985, Capt. Christensen was hired as Chief Instructor and Master of Training Vessels for the Seamanship program at the Tongue Point Job Corps Center near Astoria Oregon. Under his leadership, two additional training modules were added and the program achieved an unprecedented 96% placement matching rate for its graduates. In 1988, Terry returned to sea working for Sause Bros. Ocean Towing as a deck officer. In 1989, he signed on as First Officer of the M/V SALVAGE CHIEF. Notably, the Salvage Chief was engaged in effecting repairs to the T/S EXXON VALDEZ which made it possible for the ship to be towed to a graving dock for repairs. 

In 1990, Capt. Christensen became the Chief Instructor for the Maritime Science Department at Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Oregon. During his time there, Clatsop began offering a Radar Observer Certification Course (a prerequisite for hold and Deck Officer’s license). Also, during this time frame, Clatsop became the first maritime training program (other than the five traditional academies) to offer a license preparation course that was certified by the USCG and qualified as sea-service in advance of the licensing examination. In 1994, Christensen developed a degenerative disease of the optic nerve and his seafaring career came to an abrupt end. 

In 1999, encouraged by advances in adaptive technology, Terry resolved to return to teaching. He began at Marylhurst University by earning a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS). This was followed with a M.S. in History from Oregon State University where he also earned a Ph.D. in the History of Science by writing about mentoring in theoretical physics. Along the way he earned numerous academic awards and fellowships. 

Since moving to Bucks County in 2007, Terry has become increasingly active in the community. He has served on the Steering Committee of the Peace Center, the Board of Directors for Friends Village, and he continues to sit on the Newtown Township Planning Commission. Terry has also been active in his Quaker Meetings, Bucks Quarterly Meeting, and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. 

Terry recalls that the best advice he ever got was from his high school football coach, Ray Downs. In response to letters he has recieved from small colleges, Terry asked Coach Downs if he believed that Terry could play football at that level. Downs replied, “I genuinely don’t know. But I do know this: If you don’t try you’ll never know … and if you never know, you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering … I’d rather know than wonder.”