Robert D. Lund

Robert D. Lund, 87, passed away peacefully on Oct. 18, 2007, surrounded by friends and family. Robert was born March 4, 1920 in Duluth, to Harry and Floretta Lund. He married the love of his life, Emma Jane Keller, on May 16, 1944. Robert attended the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, playing football, earning the distinction of 'Little All-American' and serving as class president. Later, Robert proudly served his country as a Navy lieutenant in World War II on the USS General O.H. Ernst in the Pacific theater. Robert was a giant in the auto industry, starting at Chevrolet Motor Division on April 15, 1946. He rose to the level of General Manager of both Chevrolet and Cadillac divisions and retired as an Executive Vice President in 1984. During his eight year tenure at the helm of Chevrolet, he holds the record for having sold over 21 million cars and trucks. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1975 and was named Automotive Executive of the Year in 1980. But retirement was the furthest thing from his mind as he and his son John founded Lund Cadillac-Hummer-Saab in Phoenix in 1987, and subsequently acquired both Legends Cadillac-Hummer-Saab and Kachina Cadillac-Hummer-Saab in Scottsdale. Robert will be remembered by those who knew him as a loving husband and father, business leader, avid golfer, philanthropist, gentleman and friend. He truly enjoyed meeting new people and was always willing to extend a helping hand. He loved spending summers at his second home in Glen Arbor, Mich., affectionately known as 'the Woodhouse.' Robert was always outspoken and known to all to have a quick wit and sharp business acumen. He was often quoted, but one of his favorites was 'The way to win is to get out front and improve your position.' Robert is preceded in death by his wife, Emma Jane; and son, Robert D. Lund Jr. He is survived by sister, Catherine Lund; daughters, Natalie (Daniel) Kommeth and Catherine (Stephen) Moore; sons, John and Michael Ryan; daughter-in-law, Christine Lund; grandsons, Stephen (Dawn) Moore Jr., Daniel (Amanda) Kommeth Jr., Brennan Moore, Robert D. Lund III and Patrick Lund; granddaughters, Keller (Tom) Lanahan, Monica (Drew) Nitschke, Natalie Moore and Leslie Lund, and many great-grandchildren and extended family. VISITATION:3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007 in Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary, 8555 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, in Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church, 36811 N. Pima Rd., Carefree, AZ 85337.