Obituary of Robert A. Sundell

Robert Arnold Sundell, 84, of Jamestown passed away at the Buffalo Hospice Center on February 15, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 23, 1932 in Jamestown to the late Arnold and Mary Sundell. He is a graduate of Jamestown High School, class of 1950, Allegheny College with a B.S. in biology and Michigan State University with a M.S. in wildlife biology. He was also a veteran of the US Army, serving from 1957 to 1959. Bob taught biology and environmental science at the University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT and West Georgia College, Carrollton, GA before returning to complete his formal teaching career at Jamestown Community College. He was known for his expertise in ornithology and enjoyed answering bird questions and sharing sightings with the many people who called. Being a founding member of Jamestown Audubon Society, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and the Ornithological Club of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, he enthusiastically supported these organizations. He also served for many years as chairman of the Jamestown Parks, Recreation and Conservation Commission and as a member of Chautauqua County Environment Management Council. Bob had a lifetime interest in music and found enormous fulfillment while singing in the Jamestown Choral Society, Christ First United Methodist Church choir and the Chautauqua Choir. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Patricia; a daughter, Julie Robinson of East Aurora, NY; a son, David Sundell of Lynbrook, NY; five grandchildren, Brittany Waldron (Dustin), Nicholas Robinson (Alexandra), Faith and Abigail Robinson of East Aurora and Ashley Pryor (Matthew) of Louisville, KY; a great-granddaughter, Noelle Pryor; and a brother, Dr. Roger Sundell (Karen) of Cedarburg, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Candace O'Donnell. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Robert and Patricia Sundell Environmental Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St. Jamestown, NY 14701; Christ First United Methodist Church, 663 Lakeview Ave, Jamestown; or to a charity of one's choice. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 26th at Christ First United Methodist Church in Jamestown. Friends will be received from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, February 25th in the Lind Funeral Home.