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By Rosemary Pollock
LDS Man Remembered For Commitment To Service
LOGAN, UTAH -- Logan City Hall recently lowered their American flag
in honor of Roger Sunada, former director of the city's environmental
health department. Sunada, 45, passed away on Sunday at the
University of Utah Medical Center of bone marrow cancer. He is
survived by his wife of 2l years, Sheryl, a 16-year-old daughter,
Christine and a 20-year-old son, Grant who is currently serving a
mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taiwan.
Prior to his passing, Sunada told his wife, "I've lived my life for
this moment." "He was peaceful until the end," Sheryl said. "There
was never a complaint...never a discouraging day." One of the
hallmarks of Sunada's life was his love for people and his commitment
to service.
"He was concerned about the well-being of his employees, both
mentally and physically," said Steve Larsen, Logan city solid waste
collection manager. "He encouraged his employees to better
themselves." Administrative secretary for the environmental health
department, Karen Poppleton said, "He truly believed if you take care
of your people, they will take care of the mission."
In an interview with The Herald Journal on Monday afternoon, Sunada's
wife Sheryl said, "He exemplified the Savior more than anyone I
know." It was not unusual for Sunada to be the "Good Samaritan."
Once while on vacation to Mt. Everest, Sunada jumped down an
embankment to aid a villager who had been hit by a van. In New
Mexico, during a freak ice storm, he helped restore power to the
town. His level of commitment to his family and work were no less
pronounced. "More than anyone else he loved his employees," Sheryl
said. "He took personal interest in each of them."
Sunada was instrumental in creating a five-year solid waste reduction
program. He also created the plans for the construction and
demolition landfill. He was also responsible for acquiring $1.3
million in federal funds for leachate management at the landfill.
Issa Hamud, acting director of the environmental health department
called Sunada "dedicated and committed" to the department until the
last few weeks of his life.
Source:
City official's kindness remembered
MSNBC (Logan UT Herald Journal) 5Dec00 P2
By Jeremiah D. Stettler
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