Robert Arthur Sunderland

Robert Arthur Sunderland passed away peacefully at home on September 16, 2025 after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He is now pain free and at peace as he laughs and visits with his family and friends in the spirit world.

Robert was born on June 3, 1945 in Plattsburgh, New York. He was the 12th child born to Everett Elmo and Florence Baade Sunderland. He grew up on the family farm in northern New York, near the Canadian border, where he learned to work hard. He developed many practical skills needed for construction and farming that he would use throughout his life. Robert attended school in Ellenburg Depot, New York. He served as Student Body President at Ellenburg Central School and earned a wrestling scholarship to Brigham Young University before graduating in 1963. He has kept in touch with many of his high school friends since then.

After high school, Robert attended BYU, worked construction, and joined the Peace Corps. He served in Iran for one year, where he learned how to speak Farsi and helped the people learn farming skills.

Robert married Emma Schaffer in 1967. They were married for 40 years and later divorced. They were blessed with 5 beautiful, intelligent, and hard-working children.

Robert joined the Army in 1969 and was trained to be an interrogator. He served in Germany as a photo interpreter for aerial reconnaissance. After the Army, the family moved back to Utah, so that Robert could finish his degree at BYU with a major in French, a minor in German, and a teaching degree. He graduated in December of 1973.

Robert enjoyed a variety of activities and occupations throughout his life. He worked on construction jobs several times. He taught French and German for many years in secondary schools in Willsboro, New York and in Davis County, Utah. He sold insurance for Metropolitan Life and was in the Million Dollar Roundtable in 1979 and 1980. Robert also worked for a few years at Albertsons in Bountiful. Robert was a talented builder. He and his sons built apartments and remodeled homes. One summer, he took 26 credit hours of math so he could qualify to teach math at LDS Business College. This was his last and most rewarding career. He taught there for 21 years as an adjunct professor and retired in 2010.

Robert married Margaret Norton in 2010. They enjoyed 15 years of retirement together and were able to travel throughout the country and abroad. Margaret loved Robert's sense of adventure, humor, creativity, his good character, and ability to fix most things around the house. When they married, Robert gained 2 step children and 8 grandchildren whom he treated as his own. Margaret, as a stepmother, was accepted and loved by Robert's children and grandchildren.

Robert loved visiting with people everywhere he went. He made weekly visits to Deseret Industries, the ReStore, and Costco where he encouraged and praised all the young families he met. He did the same with the families in the neighborhood and ward. He had other talents; he could play the harmonica, sing, whistle, and recite numerous poems from memory. Robert had a wonderful sense of humor and often told jokes and funny stories. He also loved to give and receive hugs.

Robert was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in many callings and was especially good at visiting and giving service to neighbors. He and Margaret served an LDS Service mission at the LDS Employment Center in Centerville, Utah for 2 years.

Robert is survived by his wife, Margaret, ex-wife, Emma Schaffer, and his 5 children and spouses: Everett and Naomi Sunderland, Andrew and Ivy Sunderland, Rodger and Emily Malmgren, Cameron and Kathryn Cole, and Schaffer and Courtney Sunderland, 12 grandchildren, a brother, Lincoln (Ann) Sunderland and a sister, Audrey (Norman) Jaussi. He was preceded in death by his parents and 9 siblings.

Robert donated his body to the University of Utah Medical School. A Celebration of Life will be held for him on November 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the 4th ward LDS church building at 102 East 1400 South in Bountiful, Utah.

Robert wants everyone to know that he died a happy man.