Head of School, 1966-1977 (Bob Christian)
Robert (Bob) Christian was HKIS’s first Head of School, from 1966 to 1977. “I was brought over to Hong Kong, or given what is termed ‘a calling’, from the Lutheran Church, which was the founding group of HKIS,” he said.
Fritz Voeltz, who was a Middle School teacher from 1973 to 1980 and High School Vice Principal from 1996 to 2003, and his wife Lois acknowledge the huge contribution of Bob and his wife Arleen: “They encouraged/inspired/created the culture of HKIS to be a school that is open to all. Their understanding of how God loves all people was the foundation, and the Mission Statement of today still affirms that underlying premise. Bob was tireless in his work for HKIS, and Arleen stood beside him during these years as their family was raised in Hong Kong. We feel they are the heart and soul of HKIS – then and now!”
After leaving HKIS in 1977, Arleen and Bob returned to the U.S. and in Seattle, Washington Bob worked to open Seattle Lutheran High School. He retired form this in 1994 and spent the next eight years doing the foundational work for opening Mount Rainier Lutheran High School in Tacoma, Washington.
Bob and Arleen certainly faced many challenges in the early days. Alumnus Kevin Kwok ’79 recalled that Bob went to the PRC to buy contraband bricks in order to ensure the construction of the school, and Bob reported that Arleen spent many volunteer hours helping to arrange for the design and manufacture of the school uniforms.
In an article in Dragon Tales (Summer 2016), Bob commented that HKIS has played a major role in his life and in the lives of his family members. “We have developed a ‘world point of view’, have learned how to tackle challenges, have had the continuing desire to share God’s love with others, and have gained many new thoughts about providing meaningful, life-centered information to students and their families.”
The prestigious Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award was established in Bob’s honor in 2006.
For some insights from Bob about the history of HKIS, see “A Conversation with Bob – The Early Years” in Dragon Tales (Winter 2007).
Bob states that in all his years working with Lutheran Schools, including HKIS, he experienced God’s richest blessings and support in these Christ-centered ministries.