Robert A. Christensen, chief executive officer of Christensen Farms & Feedlots, Inc. died early Saturday morning in Kansas while on a hunting trip with family and friends. Bob died from an apparent heart attack. He was 51.

“This is a sad and difficult time for everyone,” says Glenn Stolt, chief financial officer for Christensen Farms.

Started as a small family farm in 1974, Christensen Farms today is one of the largest pork production companies in the United States with operations in six states and more than 900 employees. The company is headquartered in Sleepy Eye, MN.

“Over the past several years, Bob focused on developing a strong management team responsible for day-to-day operations,” Stolt says. “While Bob’s passing is a tremendous loss to all of us, his legacy is a strong, innovative company committed to producing high-quality food.”

Bob Christensen was honored by National Hog Farmer in 2006 as one of The Masters of the Pork Industry for his bold leadership and his partnership in the development of Triumph Foods, the producer-owned pork processing facility located in St. Joseph, MO.

Bob is survived by his wife, MaryAnn, and children Robert, 14, and Kellen, 11.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Nov. 8 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm. Burial will be on Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Prairieville Cemetery in Prairieville Township, Brown County, MN.

Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home, North Chapel, and will continue on Nov. 8 at the church from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service time.