Richard L. Sunde

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Thursday, 16 May 2013 11:04

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Richard L. Sunde, who was a third-generation Sitkan, died May 7, at the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, Kansas, at age 72.
The family will hold a celebration of his life at a later date.
Dick was born Sept. 16, 1940, in Sitka, the son of Ole and Christine (Burke) Sunde.   
In 1963, he married Sandra Clayton, also of Sitka.  Three children were born of this marriage: Kristin, Stacey, and Rick.  His second marriage, in 1979, was to Elaine (Hill) Mann; Dick and Elaine celebrated 32 years of marriage last September.
Dick loved Southeast Alaska.  He was a graduate of Sitka High School and a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge and of St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.
He served on the Assembly and was president of the Sitka Chamber of Commerce.
For many years, he was associated with Corroon, Black, Dawson Insurance Agency, and later owned the retail business Sunde’s Alaska Traditions, at Lincoln and Lake streets.
Dick accomplished a rich “Life List” of adventures and experiences.  He was a proud U.S. Marine, and served four years in Southeast Asia.
He had countless adventures during his many years as an Alaskan bush pilot and an officer in the Civil Air Patrol.
He learned to sail, exploring Alaskan waters in his beloved sail boat, the Turtle Island.
After retirement, he and Elaine bought a motor home and, for 12 years, traveled throughout the United States.   During these years, he took up fly fishing and enjoyed some of the nation’s finest trout streams.
Well after his 60th birthday, he pursued one remaining goal, taking up horseback riding in the desert country of the Southwest and finding great joy in his beautiful Palomino, Laddie.
Dick is survived by his wife Elaine,  Wichita, Kansas; and by his six children:  Kristin Nichols and Stacey Sunde of Seattle;  Rick Sunde of La Conner, Wash.;  Allen Mann (Laura) of Washington, Mo.; Brian Mann (Susan) of Saranac Lake, N.Y.; and Lisa Perkins of Wichita.
He also is survived by his sisters Mary Lou Davis (Harvey) of Columbia City, Ore., and Dorothy Parshall of Seattle; by his sister-in-law Carol Hill of Wichita; by seven grandchildren,  Angie Nichols (Kristin), Sophia Sunde (Stacey), Daniel and David Mann (Allen), Nicholas Mann (Brian), and Hannah and Ella Perkins (Lisa); and nieces and nephews.
He also leaves a host of lifelong friends who, through his illness, have shared with him their memories of basketball, teenage dances, and endless adventures growing up in Sitka.
Donations in Dick’s memory are suggested to Hope in the Valley Equine Rescue and Sanctuary (www. hopeinthevalleyequinerescue.org); or to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice ( HYPERLINK “http://www.hynesmemorial.org” www.hynesmemorial.org).
To sign a guest book or leave a condolence for the family, go to  HYPERLINK “http://www.cochranmortuary.com” www.cochranmortuary.com.
Cochran Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

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