Gordon W. 'Doc' Sundquist, 83

Gordon W. “Doc” Sundquist, 83, of Sandpoint, Idaho, died Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at the Valley Vista Care in Sandpoint.

On Oct. 17, 1926, Gordon was the first son of five sons born to Harry and Helen Sundquist in Brainerd, Minn. He grew up in the Brainerd area, where his brothers affectionately referred to him as “Corky.”

After two careers spanning a total of more than 40 years, Gordon had been working since he was 15 years old. He began his first career during World War II. He enlisted in the Navy on Nov. 12th,1943 and served as an independent corpsman. Turning just 17 years old he was shipped to Farragut Naval Station in Athol for 15 months. This is where he fell in love with northern Idaho and would return to settle.

He then went overseas on the USS Solace, a hospital ship, in time to see the results of some of the bloodiest fighting of the war. The ship helped pick up the wounded from fighting on Okinawa and other Pacific islands. During his tour of duty on the hospital ship, he acquired the nickname that has remained with him throughout his life, “Doc.” He is rarely referred to by his first name Gordon.

He married Glenna Audrey Jones on Oct. 17, 1946 in Brainerd, Minn. They had two children, Randy Lane and Pamela Jo. He left the Navy in 1947 and moved to Idaho, where he had purchased 80 acres on Gold Creek Road.

He worked for a bridge and building gang on the Northern Pacific Railroad, then helped Bonneville Power survey power lines in the area. He went to work at Kaiser, an aluminum plant and had rose from laborer to foreman. He decided to return to the Navy in 1955 and was assigned to the Spokane Air Station during his time with the Naval Reserves before returning to active duty. They were divorced in 1962.

Also serving as a chief petty officer Corpman with MCB8, the CB’s, in Vietnam, he later served in the Vietnam War, where he found himself stationed with his eldest son Randy who was a US. Marine.

Serving in the Navy a total of 20 years, 4 months and 22 days he finally retired on Jan. 3, 1972, and settled in North Idaho with his wife, Irene. His second career was as a relief dispatcher for Bonner County Sheriff’s Office in April 1972. He was the first marine deputy on Lake Pend Oreille and he became a dignified influence there as he served as chief deputy under Mike Guthrie, Rocky Eveland and Don Nelson, subsequently retiring October 1989.  According to him,”(I) held every position in the place except sheriff.” He noted he worked for five different sheriffs. Although he retired he remained a close consultant and for oral boards.

His interests were hunting, fishing and wildlife and bird watching.

He was a member of the Elks BPOE 1376; Fleet Reserve; Knights of Columbus 4th degree at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

He was proceded in death by his wife Irene, who passed away on Nov. 6, 2009; his parents and two brothers, Donald and Benjamin Sundquist. He is survived by his children, Randy Sundquist (Florence) of Ranchester, Wyo., Pamela Shandy (Rex) of Freeman, Mo., Christopher Sundquist of Boise, Idaho, Lisa Gates (Brandon), of Naples, Idaho; a stepdaughter, Sandy Eno, (Joe) of California; two brothers, Roger Sundquist of Kansas and David Sundquist of Minnesota. He also has several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rosary services were conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with Father Dennis C. Day, officiating.

Family and friends are invited to sign Doc’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.