David Lundin
1931 ~ 2023
Captain C. David Lundin, age 91, of Dresser, WI, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023, surrounded by family at the Christian Community Homes in Osceola, WI.
Dave was born December 24, 1931, to parents, Carl and Inet Lundin, in Minneapolis, MN. He attended Roosevelt High School, graduating in 1949. He Entered Gustavus Adolphus College to pursue a Pre Law course of studies for 2 Years. He transferred to the University of Minnesota and entered the Law School “2-4” program and accepted an NROTC Scholarship. He graduated June 11, 1955, and was commissioned (Ensign USN, 15 June 1955). He earned his wings in Pensacola, FL, transferring to Corpus Christi, TX and then to Bermuda. In 1959, he left active duty and joined the Ready Reserves, moving back to Minnesota, where he would serve 20+ years as a pilot, and earn top ranking as Captain, USNR. In the reserves, Dave, serving as Squadron CO, and his crew, received the Noel Davis Trophy in 1974 for being the most efficient aviation division of the USNR.
On November 21, 1966, Dave began his commercial pilot career with Northwest Airlines. His initial crew assignment was as a Second Officer on the Boeing 727. {Dave flew the standard NWA MSP base succession of aircraft, retiring on Dec. 12, 1991 as a Classic 747 captain.}
Dave met Angie Porter during the summer of 1950 at Deer Lake, WI. Angie knew he was “the one” by December of that year, but due to Naval regulations, they had to wait until after Dave’s graduation before they were finally wed on June 18, 1955. In their 68 years of marriage, they were blessed with 3 boys: Mark, Greg, and Peter. The boys were raised in Bloomington, MN, which served as a convenient location for Dave’s commute to NAS Minneapolis and MSP Airport. In 1982, Dave and Angie moved into their home in Dresser, WI, - affectionately named “Waterlot” after a favorite Bermuda restaurant – where Dave became an active member in the community, serving as chairman of St. Croix Falls Township. Dave was president of the rotary club for a year but was an active member up until his death.
Dave was a storyteller, and he loved to share tales about his time stationed in Bermuda during his Navy days, as well as stories about his family history and his Swedish ancestors. His children and grandchildren were also told much-beloved, make-believe tales about “Spunk, Punk, and Joe,” which were characters originally created and passed down by his own father. He had an appreciation for classical music and the arts, and he enjoyed supporting and attending plays at Festival Theater in St. Croix Falls. Computers were also of interest to him, and he enjoyed attending computer club in the Cities. Dave could also always be counted on to have a stash of black licorice in his office.
A devout Christian, Dave was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church. He supported Luther Point Bible Camp in Grantsburg, WI, which his own grandchildren attended. He also attended Lay school in Chippewa Falls for many years and participated in a mission trip to Malawi, Africa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John; and son, Peter.
Dave is survived by his loving wife, Angie; sons, Mark (Debra) and Greg (Dawn); grandchildren, Ryan (Suzie), Amy (Jeff) Beale, Ashley, Marysue LeClair, and Kristi Frieburger; great-grandchildren, Tyson, Summer Beale, and Brady Beale; and other extended family members and friends.
(- Lundin Family)