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Unto Pallonen Obituary
Unto is survived by his wife Megumi, sister Leila and husband John Wood, twin sister Irma Pallonen, nephew Alex and wife Niki and two children Benjamin and Hope, Godson Niko and his brother Levani and other very close relatives and friends who are blessed to known and have shared special life moments with him.
Unto was an extraordinary, humorous and very loving man. He enjoyed reading, dancing Tango and recently found passion for farming & tractors. Unto will be greeted in Heaven by his parents, sister Seija, grandparents and uncle Veikko.
He will be missed dearly - Texas Rancher Tango Dancer PhD.
Memorial will be held on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 11am at St. Matthews Lutheran Church located 5315 Main Street, Houston, TX 77004.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Unto Pallonen
Unto, Flip and Barn cats
February 24, 2012
With Juan Carlos & Johanna Copes, BA 2007
February 24, 2012
Unto & Meg in BA 2007
February 24, 2012
Unto, Dinner in BA 2007
February 24, 2012
Trip to Rhode Island, Unto with Bunny, June 2007
February 24, 2012
Trip to Rhode Island, Unto with burger, June 2007
February 24, 2012
February 24, 2012
Unto gardening in Ann Arbor in 2001
February 17, 2012
Big Party in Paris 1998
February 17, 2012
In Athens with sisters 1996
February 17, 2012
February 13, 2012
Irma Pallonen
February 13, 2012
Benjamin's, his godson's, christening in the Finnish Seamen's Church in London on June 6, 2010
Pallonen family taken in 1955
Leila Wood
February 11, 2012
Leila Wood
February 11, 2012
Unto and Irma,twins,aged 4 years old
Hannu Pallonen
February 11, 2012
Unto,you were faithfull cousin to me from my childhood. After you were very significance support during my studies. We meet each other nearly very year at Sonkajärvi. I am very thankfull for you.
Hannu
Hannu Pallonen
February 11, 2012
Unto,you were faithfull cousin to me from my childhood. After you were very significance support during my studies. We meet each other nearly very year at Sonkajärvi. I am very thankfull for you.
Hannu
Unto & Meg
February 10, 2012
Unto & Ayumi
February 10, 2012
Unto & Ayumi
February 10, 2012
Unto & Flip
February 10, 2012
Megumi and Unto in Scotland
Leila wood
February 5, 2012
Leila and Unto in Scotland
Leila wood
February 5, 2012
Megumi and Unto at work in Scotland
Leila wood
February 5, 2012
Megumi,Unto and John
Leila wood
February 5, 2012
Megumi and Untoi in Scotland
Leila wood
February 5, 2012
Unto with Alex Wood
Leila wood
February 5, 2012
Unto with Vieno (mother)
Leila wood
February 5, 2012
Young Unto
Leila wood
February 5, 2012
Unto as a student
Leila wood
February 5, 2012
Seppo,Leila,Unto
Leila wood
February 5, 2012
Unto & Teresa July 2011
Teresa Williams
February 5, 2012
Unto will always be in my heart and thoughts. I miss him greatly even though I only saw him one or twice a month in the last year. It is comforting to know that before his tragic and untimely death that he was living his dream and greatly enjoying his post-retirement life. He is an inspiration to me and knowing him has been one of my greatest pleasures. Tango is not the same without him. My deepest sympathies to Meg and the rest of his family and friends.
Alan Bliss
February 5, 2012
Unto and I worked together at the University of Michigan. He was, and is, a generous and loyal friend. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends. May you all find peace in the memory of a wonderful man.
Handyman Unto
February 5, 2012
Unto & Sappo
February 5, 2012
Unto @La Boca
February 5, 2012
Unto & Meg
February 5, 2012
Nelson & Virginia Smith
February 4, 2012
Our Deepest sympathy to you at this sad time. Even though we hadn't talked to Unto since he left Kingston, we often thought fondly of him and our fond thoughts will continue.
Unto's Monkey
February 4, 2012
Unto Sushi King
February 4, 2012
Unto & Natia BA 2006
February 2, 2012
Unto Tango Pro like Soto
February 2, 2012
Unto BA Soldier 2006
February 2, 2012
Unto BA 06 Party Table
February 2, 2012
Unto chilling
February 2, 2012
Meg&Unto @'08 xmas party
February 2, 2012
Meg&Unto resting @kids bday party
February 2, 2012
Vanessa Abahashemi
February 2, 2012
Unto, even though we did not know each other very well, it was always a pleasure to see you at milongas. The few times we spoke, it was obvious that you are a kind and gentle person. I regret not getting to know you better. I am very saddened by this news. May you rest in peace.
Unto in BA
February 2, 2012
Diana and Phillip
January 31, 2012
Milongas will never be the same without Unto! A real gentleman, and a gentle man, he will be sorely missed. Our condolences to Meg, Irma and Leila.
alex,niki,benjamin&hope. wood
January 31, 2012
Even though we never saw each other a lot we were always thinking of you,and now you are gone we will miss you every day.Thankyou for being part of our family and for being our childrens godparent and we know you will be watching over them every day.xxx
Ayumi Hada
January 30, 2012
You were and will be always my best dad in U.S.
Love, Ayumi
Vickie Huckabay
January 30, 2012
Blessings to Unto's wife, sisters, brothers-in-law, and Martin and Natia. He is gone too young and too soon!
Diego Batista
January 30, 2012
Dear Unto,
We did not see each other very often lately.... and all I can say is that I will regret that for ever. You will always be one of the most kindest and greatest person ever.
Your personality ans sense of humor was adding sometihng so special on each milonga...and parties.
Rest in peace, my friend!!
Dear Megumi, I'm so sorry for your lost. All my thoughs are with you...
Unto's Favorite Tractor
January 30, 2012
Unto
January 30, 2012
Zarana and Mark
January 30, 2012
We only knew Unto briefly, but those few times we met, I was always struck by his energy and his continuous smile, the way it was so easy to talk with him for hours. He was one of those people that were truly alive in the moment. Megumi, we're truly sorry for your loss, and you are very much so in our thoughts. Please let us know if we can do anything to help.
Nina Newton
January 30, 2012
I worked with Unto for a few years at UT. He was always a sweet and fun-loving person. I will miss him.
Mance Peery
January 30, 2012
I will always remember your sense of humor, your wit, your intelligence, your special steps dancing tango. Going to a milonga will never be the same for me; I will miss you and your presence. Meg, I cannot imagine what you have been going through and what you are still going through. What a very sad tragedy. My prayers and thoughts are with you to send you strength and courage in the coming days and months.
January 30, 2012
We knew Unto from the his days in Ann Arbor. We were the orgnaizers of the Latin & Arentine tango of tango Club of Detroit at that time. He began dancing tango with us, taking lessons and attending our milongas. He was gentleman in the classic sense. We are honored to have called him friend. May he rest in peace. Amy and Ray, Buenos Aires
Linda Foot
January 29, 2012
Unto, your passing has shocked and saddened us and gives us pause for thought at the fragility of life. We have lost a dear, kind friend. Our tango activities will never be quite the same without you. It was an honor to know you and to have shared the dance floor with you. You may have left us but you will always remain in our hearts and minds. Meg, my heart goes out to you. May your family and friends sustain you.
Hugo Oteiza
January 29, 2012
We will miss you Unto. You were always so nice to us. Tango will never be the same without you.
Hugo and Sarah
Juan Carlos Suarez
January 29, 2012
Dear Megumi,
We are all so sorry to hear about Unto dead.
He was a fine man, a member or the Tango community, respected from everybody in all the milongas around Houston.
Meg,
We hope your memories of him will be some confort to you.
Please, accept our sympathy on your sad loss.
Yours truly,
Juan Carlos and Alicia Suarez
January 29, 2012
We are shocked and greatly saddened to hear of Unto's tragic passing.We know how much your family will miss you.Our thoughts are with you all at this time.Penny and Gordon,St Kitts and Nevis and the rest of the family in England.
Pat Mullen
January 29, 2012
We talked almost every day during the years Unto was my colleague at the School of Public Health. I enjoyed his keen observations, wit, intellect, and kind spirit. He often came with a pun or quip that he clearly enjoyed--almost as much as his passion for the tango! Unto's return trips after he moved to the little ranch brought a joie de vivre. Looking tanned, fit, and relaxed, Unto brought advice for my garden, aged manure, stories of his progress on the house and happiness with Meg, news of the horses and travel ... a new chapter that I assumed would go on for many years! I am so sorry for the loss of those good years--for Unto, for Meg, and his family.
Juan and Elba Montonati
January 29, 2012
This unexpected tragedy tells us that this sweet friend was needed far away from his loved ones and friends to help in an even more unfair situation than his untimely death, as a helper to God. May peace be with you always. Dear tango friend, story teller, gentleman, farmer, and multiple other things that we never knew in the short time that he share with you. We'll miss you and we'll cherish the happy moments that
we shared with you. Our deepest condolences to Meg and family. Juan and Elba Montonati
Ester & Arturo Rappi
January 29, 2012
If even any death is disturbing,an unexpected
unthinkable death always reminding us deep inside how vulnerable and rather unprovided of protection we are in this trip throughout life. How can we expect, something like this could happen to our friend.
We knew Unto about eight years ago, but only a couple of years to this date, we really begin to enjoy his friendship. To say he was a very nice person,of course is just to begin to understand his greatness in every single face of his many talents. We will greatly miss him. Our hearts and prayers are now out to Meg and his family. These are sad times for us.
January 29, 2012
I am very thankful for all these forthy years,when we have been friends. I shall thought back and miss your kindly person and many interesting discussions with You.
It is so difficult understand and accept, that You must leave just now, when your life is so good after and you could enjoy after long,demanding work.
My warm condolences to Megumi, Leila with her family and Irma.
Eeva-Liisa Sahrman
Cathy Green
January 29, 2012
We are saddened to hear of Unto's passing. When my husband and I moved into our neighborhood in Ann Arbor, MI, Unto was one of the first to befriend us. We chatted often, discussing our mutual love of dancing and landscaping/gardening ideas. When he moved to Texas, he gave us his wheel barrel, which we use to this day.
We offer our prayers to his family and friends. May God keep you and give you strength during this time of loss.
Thomas Kottke
January 29, 2012
The following note is relayed from Aulikki Nissinen in Helsinki:
Dear Tom!
I wonder if you could tell to Unto's fiance my warm condolence; and tell her that Unto was born in the same village in the middle of Finland, where I was his swimming teacher in 1950's much before the North Karelia Project, in which we worked together in 1970's. I learned to know Unto as hard working, reliable person with great sence of humor.
Aulikki
(Maija also remerbers Unto)
Hector & Dolores Willars
January 29, 2012
May our Lord have you in the palm of His hand.
Our sincere condolences to the family. You will be
missed.
Unto,Levani,Flip,Niko
January 29, 2012
Joel Schell
January 29, 2012
I remember Unto at the Buenos Aires airport in 2007, dancing with his rolling suitcase. Such elegant ochos cortados!
Rest in peace, Unto.
Alex, Ina & Olga Prokhorov
January 29, 2012
This extraordinary Man will alway be remembered by his friends. Kind, modest, funny, genuine, curious, friendly, gifted in so many ways... Tango dancer, passionate reader, traveller, and story teller. That lovely Unto's smile - who can forget it? That is how we will always remember him - smiling and generously sharing his kindness, and wisdom. Thank you for everything, our dear friend.
January 28, 2012
speechless for this sudden absence of good friend Unto, my deep condolences to dear Meg, now he is observing us from heaven, my prays and love with both of you. roberto minas
Lourdes Rangel
January 28, 2012
Dear Unto, What we will always remember will be the way you smiled, the stories you told, the advice you gave. What we will always know will be the warm friendship you share with everybody who knew you, the beautiful person you were. What we will always feel will be your caring heart. Time will ease the pain until all that remains will be the beauty of the memories and love, always love.
Lourdes, Elvia Rangel/ Dan Tetzlaff
RIck Williams
January 28, 2012
Great intelligence matched with a polite classy reserve. The kind of guy you introduce to your friends and feel good about it forever. Unto was never malicious or rude. I will miss his humor and our conversations about society and tango. I witnessed his physical transformation from office worker to gentleman rancher and construction manager. He did everything very well. Unto, you are one of my real-world heroes.
Ylva and Mike Forsten
January 28, 2012
Part of the Houston Argentine Tango scene, was always a sudden tap on the shoulder and "Terve Suomi Poika , SuomiTytto" ! (Hello Finnish boy, Finnish girl) followed by Unto's and Meg's great smiles.
You were so proud of your handmade dancing shoes, you bought in Buenos Aires, where you had danced to 4 am nightly. Unto, you will be greatly missed.
Meg, you are in our thoughts and hearts.
Mauro Marcone
January 28, 2012
Unto was a very kind and friendly man to me ,we share many milongas he will be greatly missed.
Jennifer Snyder
January 28, 2012
Unto you will be dearly missed by all those wo were fortunate enough to meet you. You always had a kind word to share. Meg, my prayers go out to you and your family.
Gregory Marks
January 28, 2012
My wife and I remember Unto very fondly from when he lived across the street from us in Ann Arbor. He was always thoughtful, fun, interesting, full of incredible energy, and a simply wonderful person. We also attend a dance class at the same time he did, and watching him dance was a lesson in joy. Unto, this is far too soon.
Elizabeth Wingfield
January 28, 2012
I will always remember the dances and jokes we shared. You were a wonderful friend and I will miss you. Meg, my thoughts, love, and prayers are with you.
Robert Schoenberg
January 28, 2012
Unto, You have left us too soon, we will always remember you as a dear friend and the joyful times that we spent together.
May you Rest in Peace, and God be with you.
Valerie and Robert
Andy Johnson
January 28, 2012
Unto, your unique perspective on all that you encountered and your infectious humor has moved and will remain with all of us who knew you.
Adriano & Veronica Quintana
January 28, 2012
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Pam
January 28, 2012
Unto - your gentle nature, your open heart, your wacky sense of humor, your sharp wit, dancing a vals with you - these will always be in my heart. You will be greatly missed.
Megumi - my thoughts are with you.
Kurt, Riikka and Johann Müller
January 28, 2012
Our son Johann asked a week ago that he wanted to meet Unto who officially was his godfather but whom he never saw after he was baptized at the Lutherian church in Kingston, RI. We tried to get in touch with Unto but then received the news about his tragic passing away. Unto gave me a lot of good advice, encouragement in moments of dispair and shared his wisdom in research when I did my Ph.D. at URI. He was hard working and somebody you could always trust. We miss Unto greatly but find comfort knowing that he was happy during the last months of his life. Our heartfelt condolences to Megumi and Unto's relatives.
Ron Garcia
January 28, 2012
Sometimes you meet a person ever so prevly in your your life .. But you look in his eyes and you see .. Kindness .. Strength ... Humor .. And you say in your inner thoughts .. I like this man .. I trust him .. I only knew Unto for a short time .. But the type of man he was will stay with me for a long time
Luanne, Tom, & Erik
January 28, 2012
Our heartfelt condolences to Unto's family, Megumi, and friends. His intelligence, sense of humor, optimism, integrity, and overall sweet nature made him a very special human being. We will miss him greatly.
Megumi
January 28, 2012
Unto, thank you for sharing your life with me. I miss you very much. Love you. Meg
January 28, 2012
May God give you the patience to go through these difficult days. Unto is now another flower in God's selected garden. Unto,the good hearted Unto, will be dearly missed. You're in my heart and my prayers. Lina
Leila & Irma
January 28, 2012
God looked around his garden
And He found an empty place.
He then looked down upon this earth,
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw that the road was getting rough.
And the hills are hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered “ Please be thine “.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone
For part of us went with you
That day that God called you home.
"unknown author"
Sheema Muneer
January 28, 2012
Dear friend, you will be missed so much. Your compassion, humour, and loveable personality won't be forgotten. Our shared life experiences will remain to remind us to honour you, as one amongst us, who went ahead, too soon.
May your family and close friends find strength to deal with your absence, being comforted with the memories of the time we were fortunate to spend with you.
I will miss you dearly.
January 28, 2012
Winter put your Wings to ease for the ride close to God in Heaven. With your Honest walk, from here you will be missed - your Smile, your Dance, your Words, will never be forgotten! we Love you.
Niko, Levani, Natia, Martin
Tom and Leslie Kottke
January 28, 2012
My first memory of Unto is from about 1977 when the two of us were showing a group of Swedish physicians the North Karelia Project. It was mid-winter, and there was, of course, the obligatory sauna. Somewhat later, Unto lived with us in St. Paul while he attended the University of Minnesota. When he lived in Rhode Island he told us how he would split boulders for relaxation. My wife and I always looked forward to his droll stories about his farming, ranching and, of course, tango lessons. We will miss Unto very much.
Leila Wood
January 28, 2012
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place;
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest;
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain,
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the roads were getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb;
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered "peace be thine."
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
(Written by Mary E. Deforge)
Leila and Irma
Suzanne Parsons Hails
January 28, 2012
Our hearts, prayers and sympathy go out to you and your family. In the short time I knew Unto, he was the most delightful, funny and pleasant man. May the Lord comfort you in knowing Unto is in His presence.
Bruce & Suzanne Parsons Hails
Hill
January 28, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our pain and sorrow give you all the needed endurance to continue to go one day to next. Psalms 46:1
john wood
January 28, 2012
This news has come as a great shock to our family especially when Unto and Megumi were making such great progress with their latest venture.I first met Unto in Sorsasalo,Finland during the summer of 1969 and had the pleasure of becoming his brother-in-law in 1971.He was a great friend,DIY expert,raconteur,farmer and above all things,honest,reliable,humorous,straightforward and great fun to be with.Unto and Megumi even demonstrated the tango in our kitchen.
You will be sorely missed by our extended family.
God speed.
Sutherland,Scottish Highlands
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