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BORN
1939
DIED
2011
William Sackinger Obituary
Abetted by a degree in physics from Notre Dame and a doctorate in electrical engineering from Cornell, he and his family moved to Alaska in 1970. He taught electrical engineering for 11 years, then transferred to the Geophysical Institute for the remaining 14 years of his 25-year University of Alaska career.
Working prior to the University of Alaska in private industry - and after UA as an esteemed consultant - his career spanned more than 50 years. Among his many projects were the Outer Continental Shelf program and the movement of sea ice against offshore structures such as oil drilling platforms.
After his retirement, he continued doing research in Finland and Saudi Arabia. He was involved in worldwide energy concerns and the Fairbanks Economic Development Corp.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Harry Sackinger, and his siblings Rosemary and Stephen.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia, and their children, Philip and Susan Sackinger of Cedar Crest, N.M., Mary Gleason, Joseph Sackinger, Karl Sackinger and Robert Bruce Sackinger of Fairbanks and Doug and Jennifer Sackinger of Corvallis, Ore.; grandchildren include: Kathryn Sackinger of Portland, Ore., Shane and Erin Gleason, Shayla and Connor Sackinger, Gabriel Sackinger, Michael and Natasha Sackinger and four great-grandchildren, all of Fairbanks; and his brothers, Thomas Sackinger and James Patrick Sackinger.
A Tridentine Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 26, at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in North Pole. A community reception will follow from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Nicholas Church or St. Elizabeth Mission Society. Cards can be mailed to: P.O. Box 80591, Fairbanks, AK 99708.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Sackinger
Tim & Diane Connelly
April 10, 2011
Dear Pat and Family,
We were sorry to hear of Bill's passing.
We truly enjoyed his visit to our home a few years ago and reading his Christmas letters each year. Our sincerest sympathy to you and your family. Tim and Diane Connelly
Martin Jeffries
March 31, 2011
Dear Pat & Family,
I am deeply sorry to learn of Bill's death. Please accept my sympathy and condolences. I will always remember the first time I met Bill, when he and Joe drove on to the campus of the University of Calgary with roughly 20 head of Galloway cattle bought in Idaho and being taken to Fairbanks. That was 27 years ago, almost to the day. It was a slightly unconventional way to meet, but I have always thought it was very appropriate considering that Calgary is sometimes referred to as "Cowtown". While Joe tended the cattle in a distant parking lot, Bill and I spent all afternoon talking about the Ellesmere ice shelves and ice islands. Then we went out for dinner, which turned out to be an informal job interview. I remember Bill asking me how I would feel about living in Alaska and working at the Geophysical Institute, and I asked him how the GI researchers would feel about having a geographer among them. For Bill, that wasn't an issue and he subsequently offered me a post-doctoral fellowship - an opportunity I couldn't refuse and one for which I will always be very grateful. Bill took a chance and set me on my way as a polar researcher. I shall always be in his debt and I will not forget him. My thoughts are with all of you during this sad and difficult time.
Jessie & James Geary
March 28, 2011
Dear Sackinger cousins, James and I express our sincere love and prayers of comfort to you for the loss of a great man. It was a joy working with him on the Sackinger Book for over 10 years. He will be greatly missed.
Tiffany Corrigan
March 25, 2011
Dear Pat, Shane and loved ones,
Knowing Bill was a priviledge and a pleasure. I enjoyed our talks as he walked here at the Dipper. He was an extraordinary man and lived life to the fullest. He will be missed by all who knew him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sorrowful time....
Tiffany Corrigan
Kristina Ahlnäs
March 24, 2011
My thoughts of sympathy are with you, Pat. Bill was a positive helpful man with a solution to every problem, from procuring funding to attend a sea ice conference in Norway to raising a ridgepole.
Pauli and Paavali Jumppanen
March 24, 2011
Dear Pat, Please accept our deepest sympathy for your sad loss. Bill was a wonderful person and a great friend of Finland. We worked together during more than 30 years, and enjoyed happy moments in arctic nature, with classical music and intellectual discussions. We feel very sorry for his death and share in your sorrow.
Debbie Brownlow
March 24, 2011
I wanted to send my condolences to the family especially Joe. I worked with you years ago at ivory jacks and often listened top your stories about your dad. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that your shared lifetime as a family will provide comforts and joy.
March 24, 2011
Pat, We will miss seeing Bill in his orange coat tending his trees. We love the birds in your yard that come to feed on Bill's trees berries. Hank and Wyan
Oliver & Andrea Backlund
March 23, 2011
To the Sackinger family: We are so sorry for your loss. May your memories be sweet and comforting in these days. We will all meet again in God's good time.
With affection,
Lu and Christi Rowinski
March 23, 2011
Dear Pat, We hope memories of the good and happy times that reshape to sympathy at this time help to carry you through. Lu and Christi Rowinski
Sandra &Russ Anderson
March 23, 2011
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Mohammad Ali
March 22, 2011
Hi
Bill was a great friend of mine and I always feel proud to have such a knowledgeable and great person. Whenever he traveled to Saudi at KFUPM, we met and discussed lots of things from research to politics. I really feel sorry for his death and pray he will get the mercy of the GOD and rest in peace.
Mian Rahat Saeed
March 22, 2011
I worked with Dr. Sackinger for a short period of time at King Fahd Univeristy, Saudi Arabia. I found him very kind, always willing to help and share knowledge. Though my contribution to the project was not long, I continued to see him whenever he visited the university. May his soul rest in peace. My sympathies to his wife, childeren and the rest of the family.
March 22, 2011
Pat, sorry to read about this. You have my sympathy. So sorry for your loss.
Penny
Marty Thomas
March 22, 2011
God's spirit in you will guide you through this time of loss. God bless you.
Marty Thomas
JOHN SACKINGER
March 22, 2011
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
March 22, 2011
Pat, Our prayers are with you. Hank and Wyan Grant
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