Richard Donald Sundquist

Don, a dear friend of Jesus, passed on to live in His loving presence March 4, 2022.  Born in Hoquiam to Victor and Tyra Sundquist, he accepted Christ at the age of eight. Don was a high school football and baseball athlete; he was a tackle and kicker and was named “the guy with the golden toe.”  He met Kathryn Robeck at Youth for Christ where they both sang. He served in the U.S. Army as a chaplain’s assistant in Korea, earned BA and MA degrees from Western Washington University and was a Tacoma teacher and choral director at Mt Tahoma High School.  He also directed several church choirs including First Presbyterian Church, Tacoma, Orpheus male chorus, taught voice privately and at Pacific Lutheran University, soloed at numerous events, and managed state wide and European traveling choirs, and worked as a funeral assistant at Gaffney Funeral Home in his retirement.  Fishing, hunting, skiing, and traveling with family were his favorite hobbies. 

Don and Kathryn had two daughters Carol (Ron Hinkson and son Chase) and Julie (Brian Tefft and son Sam) who survive.  Also surviving are brother John, (Morley) several nieces and nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law Eunice and Carol, and many relatives in Finland and Sweden.  He was pre-deceased by older brother Paul.

Burial took place at Tahoma National Cemetery at March 30, 2022 and Memorial Service at Tacoma First Presbyterian Church April 9, 2022 at 1:00pm.  Memorial donations may be made to Youth for Christ at https://yfc.net or P.O. Box 834, Tacoma, WA 98401.

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