Gunnar was born on December 27, 1928 in Tallinn, Estonia. He passed away peacefully in Seattle on December 28, 2012 with his family by his side. Gunnar was a Research Professor Emeritus of Oceanography at the University of Washington. Gunnar attended graduate school at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California (part of UCLA at that time) and received his Master of Science in Oceanography degree in 1956. Gunnar worked at Scripps in La Jolla until 1966 at which time he joined the Department of Oceanography at the University of Washington. Gunnar was a loving husband and wonderful father. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Ingegerd, his sons Christopher and his wife Karen, Lennart and his wife Susan, Einar and his girlfriend Tatiana. He was blessed with five beautiful grandchildren: Kristen, Seth and his fiance; Carley, Alex, Ethan and Eliana.
All are welcome to sign this online guestbook, thank you.
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January 20, 2013
Bjoern Hansen
Many regrets from good ole Germany. First my father Nils in 2012, May passed away and now the wonderful Gunnar. Both were born in Tallin Estonia. We met him at a great familiy event in Germany several years ago. My father and I wanted to visit him in Seattle but the time was too short.
I fell very sorry. With many greetings to his beloved familiy.
Greetings to the familiy from Luebeck, Germany
Bjoern, Inga, Thore & Soeren Hansen
January 19, 2013
Regine und Horst Teichmann
Wir erinnern uns mit viel Freude und Liebe im Herzen an Euren Besuch in Regensburg. Besonders gerne denken wir an den lange Spaziergang die Donau entlang und das damit verbundene sehr gute Gespraech mit Gunnar. Da niemand tiefer fallen kann, als in die ausgebreiteten Arme Gottes, koennen wir getrost sein, dass Gunnars Seele beim Zeitlosen geborgen ist.
January 17, 2013
Steve Solhaug
Dear Roden Family,
Gunnar always made me feel valued, important and welcomed in his presence. He had a genuinely warm, kind and caring way about him. Our family found the history and struggle that Estonian's experienced fascinating, the pastor did a great job of conveying this message!
We left the service feeling joyful knowing Gunnar live a full life and that he left behind a strong legacy with his boys! We will keep you and your family in our prayers in this time of great sorrow.
Steve Solhaug
(Family friend)
January 13, 2013
Please accept our sympathy.
The Smidchens family
January 5, 2013
Dear Inge and Gunnar's family, I was so sad to hear about the death of Gunnar recently. When my first husband, Bill Bendiner, and I moved to Seattle in the autumn of 1968, Gunnar gave me my first job, working for him as his first administrative and research assistant at UW. I worked for Gunnar for 5 years, and I loved every minute. Gunnar was a wonderful boss and wonderful person, and had a big, positive influence on my life. The last time I saw Gunnar was when he graciously agreed to come to my UW retirement party in late 2001. I can see from these online photos what a wonderful family life he had with you, Inge (which I knew of), and all you children and grandchildren. I send all of you my deepest sympathy for the loss of a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather (and for me, a wonderful boss).
Most Sincerely,
Donna McCampbell
(formerly Bendiner)
January 2, 2013
Chris Roden
Gunnar was a terrific husband and great father. He led a most fascinating life that spanned continents, cultures and history. His love of learning and discovery remained with him throughout his days on earth. I will miss our many lively discussions on varied topics, his warm and understanding manner, his thoughtful gaze into the eyes of anyone spoke with him and his spirit for exploration. Smooth sailing Dad. Love Chris-Yngve
January 2, 2013
My deepest sympathies to Gunnar's family. Over all my years at UW Gunnar has been a source knowledge about the circulation of the Pacific. His experiences at sea and intuition taught me much about that wide ocean. In recent years we talked frequently on the way to work (walking in through UW wetlands) and I will really miss those sunny morning encounters, stories of the sea and of his Estonia homeland. Gunnar was one of the great generation of hydrographers who gave us so much, and are irreplacable. Peter Rhines, UW Oceanography
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