Robert Sundstrom

Chronicle Staff

Published: Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Robert E. Sundstrom was born Feb. 4, 1916, in Newcastle, Wyo., to Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Sundstrom. He lived on the family homestead until 1922 when the family moved to Newcastle. Bob started school there and graduated from Newcastle High School in 1934.  Bob worked in wood and stone construction with his brother, Conrad, and his father in Newcastle and other Wyoming cities.  Bob served in the Army during World War II from Feb. 16, 1942, to Oct. 15, 1945. He served overseas from June 1942 to May 1945 with the 423 Infantry Headquarters Co. Third Battalion. He served in Northern France and the Rhineland and received the European-African and Middle Eastern Service medals.  He married Loree Meyer Coy, who brought three children—Pat, Patsy and Bonita—to the marriage. Bob and Loree had two children, Starla and Brent.  Bob and his brother, Art, owned an antique store in Newcastle. Bob was an outdoorsman, an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a first-generation son born of Swedish parents. His sense of humor often delighted his family. Bob, a hard worker, was generous to a fault to his family. Robert died Nov. 24 in Custer, S.D., where he had made his home since 2005. He lived with his daughter, Starla Sweet, and granddaughter, Nicole Sweet. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, infant Thelma Sundstrom and Viola Kennedy; five brothers, Conrad, Art, Phil, Carl and Roy; his stepson, Pat Coy; two nieces; three nephews; and one grandson.  Survivors include his daughter, Starla and her six children, Robyn Honey, Robert Lee, Corbin, Brian, and Brandon Sweet and their families of Newcastle and Nicole of Custer; his son, Brent and his two children, a daughter, Amy and her children, and a son, Austin, all of Newcastle; his stepdaughters, Patsy Barber of Anchorage, Alaska, and Bonita Carr of Hazen, N.D., and their families; a nephew, John Kennedy of Westlake Village, Calif., and his family; a niece, Ann McKinney of Shelbyville, Ill., and her family; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Carl Sundstrom of Custer, and her four children and their families. Graveside services were held at the family plot in Greenwood Cemetery in Newcastle Nov. 29.