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Albert Melbourne Christopher, 83, of Brighton Gardens, Chevy Chase, formerly of Potomac, died Dec. 19, 2010, from complications of pneumonia at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Washington, D.C.

Born June 28, 1927, in Halloc, Minn., he was the son of the late Albert J. Christopher and Helen H. Conmy Christopher.

He was the husband of the late Louise Ludowese Christopher who died in 2005.

Mr. Christopher served in the U.S. Army toward the end of World War II as a staff sergeant. Following the war, he spent three years in a Benedictine seminary at St. Johns University, Collegeville, Minn. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in U.S. history at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisc., and a Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota Law School in 1955, the same year he came to Washington and entered the U.S. Department of Justice under the Attorney General's Recruitment Program for Honor Law Graduates.

After four years in Justice, he served several years as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Sen. Milton R. Young (R-N.D.)

In 1963, Mr. Christopher continued his government career by moving to the U. S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. During his tenure there, he was posted at the Geneva Disarmament Conference, as well as in Washington.

After he retired as full time arms controller, he continued as a consultant to Deputy Director, Ralph Earle part-time until the agency became part of the State Department in 1999.

In 1991, he received the Sioux Award, the University of North Dakota Alumni Association's highest honor.

Survivors include a daughter, Katy Gilbert and husband, David, of Silver Spring, a son, Brian Christopher and wife, Ann of Vienna, Va.; one sister, Catherine A. Christopher of Washington, D.C.; one granddaughter and numerous cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 27 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Potomac. Burial was private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1025 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.

DeVol Funeral Home, Gaithersburg, handled arrangements.