Richard Lee Sunderman

 

Richard Lee (Dick) Sunderman was born in Mountain Lake, Minnesota on May 10, 1939. The first child of Lehman E. (Bunny) and Lavonne M. (Bonnie) Smalley Sunderman. He was baptized at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Windom, MN. and graduated from Windom Area High School in 1957.

He joined The United States Marines Corps in 1958. Honorably discharged as Lance Corporal in 1964. He graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Dick was united in marriage to Nancy Tegels, on July 21, 1962. Their marriage was blessed with five children, LeeAnn, Kelly, Matt, Jon, and Suzi. Later, the marriage was dissolved.

From ‘66’-‘73’ Dick worked for Rockwell Intl., the primary contractor for the Apollo Space Program. Dick was part of the Apollo Mission Team who made history when the news came that “the Eagle has landed” safely on the moon. He worked in communications and with liquid oxygen and hydrogen which went into the tanks of the fuel cells, to supply the cabins with electricity and water. Calling himself a “pad rat” his work often took him out to the launch site for fueling for the space mission.

In 1973, he left the space program and went back to his roots, farming in Minnesota.

In 1981, Dick moved to Wyoming and married Mary E. Hammond on December 4, 1981. Their marriage was blessed with five children, Micah, Elizabeth, Aurora, Josiah, and Dominique.

From ‘81-‘99 Dick worked as automation engineer for many coal mining and oil refining operations.

Dick moved the family back to Minnesota in 1999. Where, for 20 years, he relished farm life once again!

In 2009, a farming accident resulted in a severe brain injury for Dick. This tragic and life-changing event left him in continued (debilitated) home-bound condition and in the loving care of his wife Mary and family until the time of his death.

Dick moved with the family to Post Falls, Idaho in 2018.

On July 10th, 2023, after many blessed days, he passed away peacefully in his home.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Mary; children: LeeAnn Olson, Kelly (Stuart) Wilson, E.W. Mathew Sunderman, Jon Sunderman, Suzanne (Samuel) Wanyonyi, Micah (Joel) Carmona, Elizabeth (Dominic) La Brake, Aurora (Sister Fidelis Marie), Josiah (Rebecca) Scotterman, Dominique Sunderman and 17 Grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings: Eugene (Karen) Sunderman, Kathleen Gardner, Tricia Getty, and sister-in-law Janet Sunderman.

He was preceded in death by Nancy Tegels Sunderman, his parents, brother Jon Sunderman, and brother-in-law William Getty.

Rosary will be held Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. with Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 495 N. Lincoln Post Falls, Id. Interment Evergreen Cemetery. Services under the direction of English Funeral Chapel, Post Falls.