Milton Sunde

Madison - Milton Lester Sunde died peacefully on Friday, October 2, 2015, after a long and prosperous life. He was a South Dakota farmboy, a World War II veteran, a UW Poultry Science professor, a family man, and proud of his Norwegian heritage.

Milt Sunde was born on the family farm on January 7, 1921, near Brookings SD, the son of Andrew Carlson Sunde and Clara Josephine Mehl. Along with brother Arthur Kenneth and sister Vina Mae, they had 16 cousins in Norway. As an undergrad at South Dakota State University, he was a member of the ROTC in a group that came to be known as the 44 Kings (Class of '44 ROTC students). He enlisted as a Private in the Infantry at Ft. Snelling MN in 1943. He rose to the rank of Captain by the end of WWII, and was awarded the Bronze Star for valor.

After the war, Milton returned to SDSU, and graduated in 1947, with a BS in Poultry, with minors in Chemistry and in Rural Sociology. Milton married Genevieve Claire Larson, of Sinai SD, on December 29, 1946, in Brookings SD. The story goes that he was offered a job as an Instructor in the Poultry Department at SDSU, but decided instead to take a graduate student position at the University of Wisconsin because the offer was $8 more a month. He joined the UW Department of Poultry Husbandry in 1947, received an MS in Poultry and Biochemistry in 1949, and a PhD in Poultry in 1950. He was appointed as an Instructor in 1949, rising to Professor in 1957, and served as Department Chair for 15 years. He was the faculty advisor for 74 MS and PhD degrees, and once noted that he had at least one of his former graduate students serving as a faculty member in every US poultry department along the Atlantic Ocean. Amongst awards and positions, he served as President of the US Poultry Science Association and President of the World's Poultry Association. He had research and teaching sabbatical in Colombia, India, Mexico and Nigeria, including 6 months with his entire family in Bogota Colombia in 1960.

Milton was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother, Bertha Moen, by his wife, Genevieve, his brother Kenneth (Doris), and step-brothers Merle Moen and Kenneth Moen. He is survived by his sons Roger (Susan) of Madison WI, Scott of Albuquerque NM, and Robert (Mary) of Ft. Worth TX; six grandchildren, Gavin, Colin, Eric, Kevin, Nicole and John; two great-grandchildren Dean and Rose; dear friend Judy Pagel; sister Vina Mae (Thomas) Larson of Rapid City SD, brother-in-law Charles (Dolores) Larson of Volga SD, step-brother Alvin (Ophelia) Moen of Alexandria MN, and many other relatives and friends.

Milton has been a member of Bethel Lutheran Church since 1947. He was an avid Badger fan for nearly 70 years, a keen gardener, a Boy Scout leader (Troop 6), Sertoma member, and member of the Yggdrasil Norwegian Literary Society. His stories, his whistle, and his gregarious laugh will be missed.

Friends may join the family for a visitation at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison, on Wednesday, October 7th from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The funeral service will take place Thursday, October 8th at 11 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave, Madison. A visitation will take place beginning at 10 a.m. at church on Thursday. Milton will be laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the UW Milton L. Sunde Scholarship Fund (#12-04-0228), University of Wisconsin Foundation, 1848 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53726-4090, or Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, WI 53703-2108.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-3434