It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our founder, Theodore C. Christner, AIA at the age of 92. Ted established Theodore Christner & Associates in 1963 and guided the firm for more than four decades, shaping it into an architectural practice recognized for its design and technical excellence. Among his many professional awards, Ted was named the 1999 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Washington University School of Architecture.
Ted’s professional career included significant projects for universities, healthcare institutions, corporations and civic organizations, including many that have become enduring landmarks throughout St. Louis and beyond. A few of his most notable projects include the St. Mary’s Hospital Chapel, the McDonnell Douglas Product Innovation and Flight Simulation Facility, the Temperate House at the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, the Center of Clayton, the Jewel Box Restoration in Forest Park, and the Interfaith Chapel and MetroLink Station at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Ted’s humble dedication to St. Louis has been a constant thread through the history of the firm. To this day, honoring Ted has always meant upholding his legacy of creating exceptional spaces that are imbued with meaning and purpose for our clients.
Known for his warmth and natural charisma, Ted built enduring relationships that opened doors to new opportunities for the firm and those who worked with him, including several who did so for more than 30 years. He aimed to inspire the next generation, offering young architects the freedom to grow, learn, and lead, while always keeping the people at the core of the work.
Ted is survived by his wife, five children, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Donations may be made in Ted’s honor to Forest Park Forever or WashU’s Christner Scholarship for Architecture.
Obituary can be found here: Theodore Christner Obituary (2025) – St Louis, MO – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
