Robert E. Sunder (1936-2025)
Robert (Bob) Elmer Sunder, 88, of Copper Center, Alaska, passed away February 23, 2025, surrounded by family after battling cancer. Bob will be remembered for the love of his family and friends, hard work ethic, strength, his generosity, and his willingness to always help others.
Bob was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1936 to Joseph and Veronica Sunder, where he and his siblings Ralph, Myrtle and Dorothy worked on the family farm.
In 1950, the family up and moved to California where Bob met his bride Jeanne of 69 years. In 1955, Bob and Jeanne married in San Diego and settled down in El Cajon and started a family. Bob went into the grocery business and ended up buying a couple of grocery stores.
In 1972, Bob and Jeanne traveled to Alaska and fell in love. There also happened to be a grocery store for sale in Copper Center, AK. Bob sold his businesses in 1973, packed up his family, and moved to Alaska. The purchase of the Copper River Cash Store shortly followed.
Bob was a real go-getter and was never afraid of new adventures. The store business was growing and with that Bob got his pilot’s license and purchased a Super Cub and a Cessna 185. He flew groceries from McCarthy to the Yukon. He enjoyed hosting the “Street Dance” in the store parking lot on the Fourth of July that was open to the community for all to come. He had his hands in helping his wife with her business “The Old Post Office Gallery.” He learned how to mat and frame and assisted her in her art classes.
Bob ventured into commercial fishing for many years out of Cordova and Prince William Sound. He ran the Iditarod in 1984 and was also the race manager and a trail breaker for the Copper Basin 300. He sat on the board for Copper Valley Electric, he trained to become a certified EMT while becoming a volunteer firefighter.
He had his hands in trapping, loved to sport fish, and was an avid hunter. He was also top in his class at trap and skeet shooting. He took pride in keeping his yard pristine, growing vegetables, starting his flowers from seed, but most of all growing his sunflower plants. Bob could never sit still. Even during the cold winter months he was always outside tinkering with something or another.
Bob was a beloved father, uncle, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Jeanne of Copper Center, AK. Children Debbie (John) Arant of Wister, OK; Bonnie (Bill) Anderson of Wasilla, AK; Brenda (Albert) Zelenak of Anchor Point, AK; and Bobby (Lauri) Sunder of Anchorage, AK. Grandchildren Corinna Gregory of El Cajon, CA; Reggie St Amand of Fairbanks, AK; Nicole (Pete) Schiemeier of Cypress, TX; and Crystal (Aaron) Loyer of Palmer, AK; Great-grandchildren Max St Amand; Will, Cooper, and Abby Schiemier; and Benjamin and Davis Loyer. Niece and nephews Brandy Sedillo of Shelton, WA; Bob Hauser of Eagle, ID; Steven and Paul Sunder of Glendale, AZ; Mark and Ben Taylor of Shelton, WA.
You will forever live in our hearts.
