Richard’s Obituary Richard D. Sundberg, age 79, of Ashland, passed away peacefully, with loving family by his side, Monday, December 24, 2018 at Memorial Medical Center, in Ashland. He was born October 2, 1939, in Newport, WA, the son of John and Dorothy (McIver) Sundberg. Richard “Dick” moved to Ashland at a young age and graduated from Ashland High in 1958.
During this time, he lettered in a number of different sports and received the McGuire Award for his outstanding football and basketball achievements. Dick went on to play college football and basketball, beginning at UW-Stevens Point, then graduating from Northland College in 1962 earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Dick taught and coached for over 35 years for the Ashland School District.
He began his career as a science teacher and later served as the Ashland High School Athletic Director, retiring in 1997. Dick’s love for the kids and his community kept him involved as a substitute teacher and in coaching for Ashland High and Northland for many years after his retirement. Dick was instrumental in starting many of the local sports programs for the area youth.
His many years of coaching and dedication to the area youth led to his induction into the first Oredocker Hall of Fame Class. In 2014, Dick was also honored with the Ashland High School gymnasium being dedicated in his name. Dick was active in the AFS program and was a charter boat captain who loved fishing with friends and family.
He enjoyed golfing, playing fast pitch softball, and watching the Packers and Badgers. Dick was previously married and had five children. On May 30, 1978, Dick married Kristine Sturgal in Ashland and had two more children.
He was a loving husband, father of seven children, grandfather of fourteen and great-grandfather of five. Richard “Dick” Sundberg is survived by his wife, Kristine, his brother James “Jim” Sundberg, seven children, Richard Sundberg, Hayward, WI, Rebecca (David) Bretting, Ashland, WI, Rachel (Brian McCabe) Rahja, Chisholm, MN, Robin Sundberg, Rhonda Sundberg, Eric (April) Sundberg, and Ryan (Julie Whiting) Sundberg of Ashland, WI; fourteen grandchildren, Audrey (Max LaBastide) Sundberg, Chandler, AZ, Jessica (Luke) Korpela, Elizabeth (Kevin) BeBeau, Richard (Hope) Bretting of Ashland, WI, Bridget (Cheyenne) Mikkola-Rahja, Chisholm, MN; Patrick Rahja, Chisholm, MN, Danny Sundberg, Ashland, WI, John Sundberg, Ashland, WI; Emma, Tate, and Sofia; Lucas, Mollie, and Noah of Ashland, WI; five great-grandchildren, Carson, Laela, and Emerson Korpela, Tatum and Easton BeBeau, along with his dogs, Bella and Chloe. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a special friend, Pat Nemec.
Preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Sundberg, his two brothers, John Michael “Mick” Sundberg and Reuben Timothy “Tim” Sundberg, and a granddaughter, Emily Bretting. A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Ashland at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, January 2, 2019 with Fr. Ducanh Pham officiating.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and continue until the hour of service at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to go towards a future memorial in Richard D. Sundberg’s name. Arrangements are with Frost Home for Funerals, in Ashland.
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