Robert "Dennis" Lund

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Northern Arizona University University of California| Berkeley

Robert Lund Obituary

Dennis Lund passed away peacefully on May 28th, 2022, with his kids by his side.

Dennis was born to Robert and Barbara Lund on May 13th, 1940, in Pasadena California. He graduated from Lynnwood High School then went on to study Forestry at UC Berkeley. During his summers while attending Berkeley he started working for the US Forest Service on fire crews in Arizona. Upon graduation in 1963 he had a job waiting for him with the Forest Service on the Kiabab National Forest at Jacob Lake. While living in Fredonia, AZ he met Lynda Smith and they were married on June 25, 1966. They eventually moved to Flagstaff, AZ in 1977 where they raised their three children Steven, Darrell and Marilyn.

During his time with the Forest Service, he worked on the Tonto National Forest, Coconino National Forest and the majority of his career working on the Kaibab National Forest, where he oversaw many large projects and land exchanges within the forest. After retiring from the Forest Service in 1999, he worked at the Ecological Restoration Institute at NAU until 2009.

Dennis had a passion for nature and the outdoors. He especially loved being on his boat, and fishing at Lake Powell with his kids and friends. He never met a dog he didn't like. He fed and loved every stray animal that came his way. He had a kind heart and gentle nature.

Dennis is preceded in death by his Parents, Robert and Barbara, his brother Joe, his wife, Lynda, and his many beloved dogs. He is survived by his three children Steven (Rachel) Lund, Darrell (Stephanie) Lund, Marilyn (Curtis) Johnson, six grandsons and one granddaughter.

We are grateful for the countless lifelong friends in Flagstaff who made sure Dennis was never lonely after Lynda passed away and allowed him to live independently. We would like to thank the staff at Miz Zip's for being a friend to him and feeding him breakfast several times a day during his "widower years". We would also like to thank the loving and compassionate staff at Solterra Memory care in Chandler, AZ for caring for him the past four years, and Sage Hospice who went above and beyond his final stage of life.

There will be a Celebration of Life Saturday July 23rd 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Bushmaster Park South Ramada, 3150 N Alta Vista Dr., Flagstaff, AZ.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Arizona Daily Sun on Jun. 5, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Lund

3 Entries

Tom Gillett

July 5, 2022

Where do I start? Dennis was so instrumental in shaping my career. But more importantly, he was a good friend that I will dearly miss.

Dennis gave me my first FS position out of timber - a combo snow ranger/minerals admin job. I had never skied and my only minerals experience was my childhood rock collection! I worked closely with Dennis for the next 2 decades. We developed the most progressive recreation, lands, minerals, and heritage program in the Region.

So many great work memories, but what will stay with me forever is our many fishing trips to Lake Powell. The five amigos - Dennis, myself, Gary Loving, Sam Wolfskill, and Pete Kahon - had so many unforgettable trips to Paiute Farms, Lone Rock, and Last Chance Bay. What adventures!

I last visited Dennis some 4 or 5 years ago. While he didn´t recognize me, he smiled and laughed when I recalled our fishing trips. Wherever you are Dennis, I hope the fishing´s great!

Marty Lee and Denver Hospodarsky

June 7, 2022

Dennis was our treasured colleague and friend at the NAU School of Forestry. He always had a warm smile, a kind word and was wise in advice. We feel fortunate to have known him.

Teri Cleeland

June 2, 2022

I first met Dennis Lund when I reported for work as a young archeologist on the Kaibab National Forest in the summer of 1982. Dennis was always upbeat, and always laughing. He gave me many opportunities that made my career advancement possible. As Forest Recreation and Lands Staff Officer, Dennis created an atmosphere of acceptance and curiosity that went beyond simple compliance. He was personally interested in the work we did, and for me, his interest in historical resources made for a fascinating and rewarding career. I got to do the stuff he liked, such as finding and developing for recreation places like the Beale Wagon Road, the Overland Historic Road, and most famously, Historic Route 66. Dennis Lund supported the beginnings of the Arizona Trail, Site Stewards, and Passports in Time. I´m glad he got to do some of his own historical sleuthing in retirement. Dennis meant a lot to me and all of the people who worked for him. I will always remember him as a wonderful person who cared about other people. My condolences to all his family. He is greatly missed and well remembered.

I'm attaching a picture of the last time I saw him, in April 2008 at Buster's Restaurant with Neil and Diana Weintraub during a visit after I'd moved on to the Washington office. I wish I had more pictures to share of him out in the woods, which he truly enjoyed.

Teri Cleeland

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