With heavy hearts we announce the death of Richard G. Gundersen, 77, of Harwich Port, MA, who passed away on September 5, 2023 after a long illness.
Richard grew up in Milton, Massachusetts and attended Milton High School. He graduated from Northeastern University in 1969 with a BA in Engineering and later from Suffolk University Law School, in 1976 with a JD. Richard stayed in Milton for many years to raise his family there. He worked for the U.S. Department of Transportation for 35 years and ultimately helped run a small franchise with his wife until they both retired to the Cape in 2002.
Harwich Port was his summer home since childhood and retirement home for the past 22 years where he and Winnie rebuilt a wonderful house. He loved a project and took on all the fine woodworking in the new house. He would have finished it all, but his other hobbies got in the way. Rich developed a passion for golf – both playing and watching – and he and his wife also traveled the world. He also spent endless time with his grandchildren, summers on the Cape, on the sidelines of a sports field cheering, sailing, birthdays, and teaching them the love of travel as well.
Richard was the beloved husband to Winnifred (Golden) who he first dated while in high school and they had recently celebrated their 54th anniversary. He was an amazing dad to his three children and will be sorely missed by them and their spouses, Kristin Longobardi and son-in-law Paul of Wrentham, MA, Jan Gundersen and daughter-in-law Natascha of La Canada, CA and Kevin Gundersen and daughter-in-law Ashley of Charlottesville, VA. He was also “Grandfather” to nine wonderful grandchildren, Christopher, Andrew, Nicholas, Kai, Siena, Tucker, Liam, Bo and Poppy. Richard is also survived by his brother Robert (Judith), who are also Milton residents and lovers of Cape Cod. Richard was the son of Robert and Florence Gundersen (both predeceased), also of Milton.
Services will be held at Holy Trinity of Harwich Port on Sept 22, 2023 at 11:00am with luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation be made in Richard’s name to Habitat of Humanity – Cape Cod.