Eric Lee Sundvall

Eric was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 28, 1959. His father was a flight engineer for Northwest Airlines so the family moved back and forth from Minnesota to the Seattle area several times before finally settling in Kent.

 

Eric courageously battled ALS and succumbed to the disease on May 18, 2022. (The anniversary date of Mt. St. Helen’s eruption.)

 

Graduated from Kent Meridian High School in 1978 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He trained at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and was then stationed in Marquette, Michigan. He later served over seas in Okinawa, Japan. He stayed in contact with several of his military friends throughout his life.

 

When he left the Air Force he attended South Seattle Community College. While he was earning his A & P Mechanics licenses he worked on the ramp and as a courier for Federal Express. After graduation he went to work for Boeing as a mechanic. Later on he worked for Safeco Field with the Mariners. Growing up Eric helped his dad with building houses and later helped friends and family with their projects. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.

 

Eric married Catherine (Cathy) Green on September 27, 1986. They were blessed with daughter Erica three years later. Cathy passed in 2003.

 

Eric loved to fish and spend time outdoors. He also liked working on his cars and was almost finished fixing up his 1971 Comet. He loved spending time with family and going to our family cabin in Minnesota. He had the most impressive fire wood piles – at one time he had hand split and stacked over 30 cords of wood - a work of art and hard labor. Maybe an artist at heart? Eric would fashion some of his wood discoveries (i.e. burls, sticks/logs with interesting shapes) into gifts which he shared with family and friends. His dog Max was always by his side.

 

In keeping with his outdoorsman persona he loved the game of horseshoes (a game for all ages). Eric was a skilled pitcher in the game of horseshoes.

 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Sundvall (Green), father Marvin Sundvall, mother Marlene Sundvall (Larson), and brother (Baby Boy Sundvall). He is survived by his daughter Erica Sundvall, Sister Linda Eagan (Sundvall) and brother in-law, Bob Eagan, sister Cindy Sundvall, nephew Nick Sundvall and girlfriend Charlene Summers. Many cousins, friends and his dog Max.

 

Lunch and remembrance will be held on June 7th between 12:00 and 2:15 at Edline & Yahn Funeral Chapel, 27221 156th Ave SE Kent, WA  98042; followed by a 3:00 Military Service at Tahoma National Cemetery (Lining up by car at 2:45).

 

Donations can be made to the ALS Evergreen Chapter, 19226 66th Ave S., #L-105 Kent, WA 98032.