"I am sorry to learn of the passing of my professor, mentor and friend, Milt Sunde. His intense intellect was overshadowed by his smile and laugh. He was a wealth of historical knowledge of the University and the Poultry Industry. I was traveling overseas at the time of his passing and became aware today. The pin on his coat makes me smile, as he gave me one just like it!"
In loving memory of
Milton Lester Sunde
January 7, 1921 - October 2, 2015
Madison - Milton Lester Sunde died peacefully on Friday, October 2, 2015, after a long and prosperous life. He was a South Dakota farmboy, a World War II veteran, a UW Poultry Science professor, a family man, and proud of his Norwegian heritage.
Milt Sunde was born on the family farm on January 7, 1921, near Brookings SD, the son of Andrew Carlson Sunde and Clara Josephine Mehl. Along with brother Arthur Kenneth and sister Vina Mae, they had 16 cousins in Norway. As an undergrad at South Dakota State University, he was a member of the ROTC in a group that came to be known as the 44 Kings (Class of '44 ROTC students). He enlisted as a Private in the Infantry at Ft. Snelling MN in 1943. He rose to the rank of Captain by the end of WWII, and was awarded the Bronze Star for valor.
After the war, Milton returned to SDSU, and graduated in 1947, with a BS in Poultry, with minors in Chemistry and in Rural Sociology. Milton married Genevieve Claire Larson, of Sinai SD, on December 29, 1946, in Brookings SD. The story goes that he was offered a job as an Instructor in the Poultry Department at SDSU, but decided instead to take a graduate student position at the University of Wisconsin because the offer was $8 more a month. He joined the UW Department of Poultry Husbandry in 1947, received an MS in Poultry and Biochemistry in 1949, and a PhD in Poultry in 1950. He was appointed as an Instructor in 1949, rising to Professor in 1957, and served as Department Chair for 15 years. He was the faculty advisor for 74 MS and PhD degrees, and once noted that he had at least one of his former graduate students serving as a faculty member in every US poultry department along the Atlantic Ocean. Amongst awards and positions, he served as President of the US Poultry Science Association and President of the World's Poultry Association. He had research and teaching sabbatical in Colombia, India, Mexico and Nigeria, including 6 months with his entire family in Bogota Colombia in 1960.
Milton was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother, Bertha Moen, by his wife, Genevieve, his brother Kenneth (Doris), and step-brothers Merle Moen and Kenneth Moen. He is survived by his sons Roger (Susan) of Madison WI, Scott of Albuquerque NM, and Robert (Mary) of Ft. Worth TX; six grandchildren, Gavin, Colin, Eric, Kevin, Nicole and John; two great-grandchildren Dean and Rose; dear friend Judy Pagel; sister Vina Mae (Thomas) Larson of Rapid City SD, brother-in-law Charles (Dolores) Larson of Volga SD, step-brother Alvin (Ophelia) Moen of Alexandria MN, and many other relatives and friends.
Milton has been a member of Bethel Lutheran Church since 1947. He was an avid Badger fan for nearly 70 years, a keen gardener, a Boy Scout leader (Troop 6), Sertoma member, and member of the Yggdrasil Norwegian Literary Society. His stories, his whistle, and his gregarious laugh will be missed.
Friends may join the family for a visitation at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison, on Wednesday, October 7th from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The funeral service will take place Thursday, October 8th at 11 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave, Madison. A visitation will take place beginning at 10 a.m. at church on Thursday. Milton will be laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the UW Milton L. Sunde Scholarship Fund (#12-04-0228), University of Wisconsin Foundation, 1848 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53726-4090, or Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, WI 53703-2108.
Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-3434
Tributes
"Time flies and things change but I recall always looking forward with great pleasure to the annual PSA Meetings and getting together with the true stalwarts of Poultry Science, of which dear Milt Sunde was truly one. He was, as mentioned by Hank, one of our Honorary Canadians and we all miss hearing his jokes and stories over a nice cold beer after the meetings, where the real learning happens! May we raise a glass to you Milt, at the next meeing!"
"Dr. Sunde was a PhD great adviser and friend. I have many fond memories and experiences that I can only reflect upon with a smile. He made a huge professional contribution in educating many industry and academic professionals that made helped make poultry meat and eggs the safe, inexpensive and wholesome foodstuff for the masses. I just want Roger, Scott and the rest of the family know how much respect we all have for your father, and wish you the best in the days and weeks to come. "
"The Board of Directors and Staff of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library mourn the death of our Life Member Milt Sunde. Always supportive of our mission for Norwegian-American family history and heritage, Mr. Sunde will be missed by the entire Norwegian-American community. "
"An excellent scientist and even better person. Wonderful caring personality and sense of humor. Canadians at Poultry Science meetings considered him an honorary Canadian citizen. I will miss him."
"Myself and my sisters grew up across the street from Mr. and Mrs. Sunde. I will always remember the pussy willows he would give my Mom and how much we enjoyed visiting whenever he was outside. He was a great man who will be missed."
"We met Milt when we became members of the Madison Sertoma Club. I remember many paint-a-thons when Milt was there brushing on the paint and whistling away. He helped many times at the Kohl Concession stand that our Sertoma Club ran; there again he always had a smile and a whistle while he worked. We live in Florida now but were up in WI for the month of September and we saw Milt at the 9:45 Bethel worship service on Sunday, September 27. I am so pleased that we had a chance to saw "hi" to him and shake his hand. He will forever be in our memories as a hard working Sertoman who enjoyed life. I bet he is whistling now in heaven and sharing his "chicken" stories. What a great guy. "
"Milt always made me laugh during Lunch Bunch soccer. He always had a smile on his face and a joke in his back pocket. I'll never forget how happy he would be when he scored a goal and the way everyone would clap and cheer for him. He was one of my favorite Lunch Bunch soccer buddies."
"Milt, we will miss you so much; you brought so much joy to our day. Shelia Pink, Dept of Animal Sciences Administrator."
"I meet milt while making Lenten lunches at Bethel. He was a "money collector" and oh so much fun to be with! It was always fun to see what ' chicken pin' he would wear in his lapel. A wonderful man! A great supporter of Bethel Horizons."
"The volunteers, flight team and board of Badger Honor Flight mourn the loss of their hero, Milt Sunde. We are thankful for his military service and honored to have served him on his trip to Washington, D.C. in October 2010."
"Milt was a great guy. I am sorry that we are in France and will not make the service. Roger and family we will cinn cut upon our return. Milt was in be of our favorite travelers "
"Dave and I became good friends with Milt because of the friendship he had with my twin sister, Judy Pagel. What fun we had with the two of them when they would come for a visit to our home in Estero, Florida. February was the time to come and celebrate our birthday and enjoy the warm weather. We all enjoyed working the puzzles out on the lanai where Milt would marvel at the grapefruit trees in the backyard while whistling Jingle Bells. When it was time to leave for Madison, Milt had a carryon bag of his special grapefruit, the pink ones. Dave and I would travel back to Milwaukee in the summer months to visit family and we made a special trip to the State Fair to enjoy one of Milt's omelets. We will deeply miss Milt but will enjoy the wonderful memories."