John Robert "Bob" Sundin

MADISON- John Robert "Bob" Sundin, age 85, passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at home, surrounded by loved ones. Bob fought a courageous battle, resulting from various health issues. He was born in Little Falls, Minn., on Nov. 19, 1930, the first son of John Sundin and Marie Gustafson Sundin. Bob was an outstanding athlete, graduating in 1948 from Still Water High School in Minnesota. He received a football scholarship from the University of Minnesota and played varsity football for two and a half years. Bob joined the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and was a physical training instructor at Lackland Air Force Base. He transferred to Kindley Air Force Base in Bermuda. Bob played football while in the service, and was selected Second Team All-Air Force in 1954. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in January 1955. Bob enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, played football for the Badgers and graduated in June 1957 with a degree in Dairy Science. With his fun loving personality and outstanding salesmanship, he worked in the transportation industry selling stainless steel tanks to the food and chemical industry for Dairy Equipment Co. and Stainless Tank & Equipment. Bob made lifelong friends in the industry. He retired in 2009, and continued to be called on for advice in the industry. Bob traveled to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Mexico, and Canada for business and pleasure. He married Beverly Wehman in 1956. They were blessed with three daughters, Dawn, Julie, and Karla. On Oct. 5, 2004, Bob married Marlene Albrecht in Las Vegas, Nev., and they were blessed with 15 wonderful years together. He loved hunting, fishing, boating, and playing cards, and excelled in all. Each May, he looked forward to fly in fishing in Canada with some great friends. Fun followed Bob! He brought humor and life to every gathering. Bob left many lasting legacies. He taught his daughters and those around him the value of hard work, fairness, honesty, loyalty, and unconditional love. He was a wonderful and loving father. Bob also embraced Marlene's family with love and caring and they loved him dearly. He was a role model on how to live a full, fun life, and will be dearly missed. Bob was a charter member of Lake Edge Lutheran Church, Deerfield Rod and Gun Club, Ducks Unlimited, and the Elks Club. He had many friends, and up until his illness, loved nothing more than a game or two of Dirty Clubs with his buddies at the VFW, or the "V", as he called it. Friend Dick Pirkl was always there for Bob, he was like a brother to him. Bob is survived by his wife, Marlene; daughters, Dawn (Brandon) LeValley, Julie Sundin, and Karla (Bob) Freimuth; grandchildren, Kyle, Chelsea (Matt) Willie, Sara, and Chloe; sister-in-law, Cynthe Sundin; and several nieces and nephews. Bob is further survived by Marlene's family; children, Kelly (Tim) Holt, Jon (Tenzin) Walker, and Greg (Christine) Walker; grandchildren, Casey, Lindsay, Cody (Amber) Patrick, Amber (Justin), and Alissa; great-granddaughters, Madyson, Ayla, and Lola. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Helen; and brother, Donald. A funeral service will be held at LAKE EDGE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4032 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Thursday, May 12, 2016, with Pastor Stephen Marsh officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2016. A special thank you to Agrace HospiceCare; your assistance in Bob's care was outstanding. Memorials may be made to Lake Edge Lutheran Church or Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. RIP Bobby. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420