Elmer A. Sundby Obituary

Elmer A. Sundby

Elmer A. Sundby, 80, of Eau Claire, passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at Luther Hospital surrounded by his family. His passing marks the conclusion of a remarkable life devoted to family, friends, church, and a lifelong pursuit of learning.
		Elmer was born in Eau Claire on November 23, 1928. Growing up, he loved to fish and hunt in the Wisconsin woods, passions that he would carry with him throughout his lifetime. He also started to develop his sense of adventure when he hitchhiked with a friend to Alaska to work for a summer in the salmon fisheries. After graduating from Eau Claire High School, he served in the Army as part of the U.S. occupation forces in Japan, an experience that provided a rich source of stories for his grandchildren's history papers in later years. With the help of the G.I. Bill, Elmer attended North Central College. While at North Central, he met the woman, Marilyn (Koeller) Sundby, who would become his wife for the next 56 years. As Elmer would say many years later when accepting the Outstanding Alumnus Award from North Central and recalling his joy at meeting Marilyn, "In physics, they say that an explosion from nuclear fusion would be stronger than that from nuclear fission. They don't know what fusion really is until they study marriage."


After graduating from North Central in 1952, Elmer earned his master's and Ph.D. degrees in psychology from Vanderbilt University. He returned to North Central to teach psychology from 1956-72. It was during this time that he took his young family on the adventure of a lifetime when he was named a Fulbright Lecturer at Chiang Mai University in Thailand. The year of living in Thailand was concluded by Elmer, Marilyn, their three young sons, and three grandparents crisscrossing Europe in a VW station wagon, piling up memories and stories that were recalled with laughter at family gatherings in the years that followed. In 1972, Elmer returned to Eau Claire to chair the psychology department at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He taught at the University until his retirement in 1991. Among his fondest legacies are the students he taught, many of whom kept up with him through Christmas cards and visits. He was known to write the parents of a student whom he thought had worked especially hard, a practice that exemplified his belief that an encouraging word and a sincere "well done" are the surest ways to bring out the best in people. Elmer's retirement brimmed with activity. He was an active member of the Chapel Heights United Methodist Church, a mediator for the Eau Claire County small claims court, delivered library books to shut-ins, served as president of the Rotary Club, and served on the Board of Directors for the Eau Claire County Mental Health Association. And, of course, he continued pursuing adventure. Despite having to battle MDS since 2001, he traveled with his family to Alaska, Thailand, Europe, and even zip-lined through the jungles of Costa Rica at the age of 78. A man of unbounded curiosity, humor, and compassion, no scripture better describes Elmer than 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his three sons, Steve (Janna), Scott (Katie), and Mark (Barb); seven grandchildren; his sister, Nettie Sundby; and 10 nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at Chapel Heights United Methodist Church on Friday, June 26, 2009 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and again at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at the church. Funeral Services for Elmer will be at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at Chapel Heights United Methodist Church, 300 W. Hamilton Ave., Eau Claire with Pastor Jim McKay officiating. Memorials in Elmer's name are appreciated to Chapel Heights United Methodist Church or to North Central College, Development Office, 30 N. Brainard St., Naperville, IL 60540. Friends may send online condolences to www.fullerspeckien.com. Fuller-Speckien-Hulke is assisting the family with these arrangements.