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Favorite Family Uncle,
Dr. Arthur H. Gunderson
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The Rolfe Arrow — December 4, 1975
The favorite family uncle, Dr. Arthur H. Gunderson, passed on November 25, in Everett, Washington, where he had been a medical doctor for more than 50 years. He was a graduate of Rolfe High (1909), Iowa University Medical School, and did graduate work at Harvard on cancer research. His summers as a young college man were spent organizing and operating a threshing ring. He owned the steam engine and the separator, the income form which put him through medical school. He was captain of the football team at Iowa in 1914. Standing 6 ft. 3 inches, he played tackle or end for 3 years, and was a strong leader. Uncle Art was somewhat the family hero for his football notoriety. Also, he remained a bachelor until about 40, so he had a lot of time to spend with his niece and nephews whenever he made family visits. Early in his medical career, he and two college acquaintances, also doctors, invested in a medical clinic in the growing industrial area of the Pacific Northwest, so he, no doubt, had a pretty good income. His Christmas presents were treated with great anticipation, and great acceptance after arrival - the year around, it seemed. This writer received a bicycle at about age 10. Such a gift then was held with as much awe as a Chevy II would be now. Although the Pacific Northwest became his irrevocable home, the Iowa heritage, Rolfe, and particularly the family home farm were held by Uncle Art to be almost a shrine. He loved to play the violin, using this as a relaxation, and after retirement even took some advanced lessons. He was a great observer of things of everyday beauty. His later years were spent tending his roses and watching the skies for the pride of the Pacific Northwest, the Boeing 747 airplane, which is built down the coast about ten miles. His home overlooked a high bluff on the edge of Puget Sound and frequently a 747 would be seen trying its wings out over the water. He was always a loyal Iowa University and Big 10 football fan; never caused a problem for anyone; and always was the all-around family consultant when needed.
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