Dear Gundl, Steve and Family…words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy.

I did not know Leif personally, but he has a truly extraordinary mother…and the apple cannot have fallen far from the tree…       Casey Preece (Salt Lake City, UT ) April 30, 2003             To the family and friends of Leif,
I have had the privilege of having Leif as a TA with the U of U Distant Education Program in Price, Utah. We had a group of about 6-7 MSW students at our site. I am truly saddened about his passing and want to extend my sincerest sympathy to all who loved him. Leif helped me out with my classes, especially Research and I can still picture him glancing at me with a smile and telling me "you did good" when I wasn't sure of myself. He was very intellegent and insighful on everything I needed to know. I remember him cheering for us at graduation on May 2, 2001 as we were receiving our degrees. I will always remember his acceptance of me as a Native American student and he never treated me any different. I want to thank him for making me comfortable and accepted. Leif was very caring and there was nothing he wouldn't do for our class/site. There are so many things to say about him. His spirit was gentle and I am honored to have known him. May the Lord grant you peace and comfort today and always.       Cindy Anderson (Montezuma Creek,, UT ) April 30, 2003             To the Rundquist Family…
My heart is deeply saddened for your loss. I find it difficult to imagine the depth of sorrow you must feel. But I remember long ago conversations with you, Steve, and I know your faith offers comfort. My memories of Leif are so shining and warm. What an outstanding young man he was, with a gift for depth and compassion unequalled in my experience as an 8th grade Language Arts teacher. And Humor! I will never forget the Student Council Presidential election speeches when he introduced us all to the concept, "Take a liking to a Viking!" I didn't see Leif much during his high school years here but I recieved a much treasured e-mail from him about 7 years ago. It was, I think, an example of his deep caring and compassion. He was a light in my life and I will not forget him.       Deb Spradlin Cathey (Corvallis, MT ) April 30, 2003
deba@corvallis.k12.mt.us             Dear Gundl
My thoughts are with you. You can be so proud of Leif. His life touched so many people and that is a tribute to you. I know he would want you to be a peace. You have so many people that love and support you . I am here for you in what ever you need.       Sandy Crane (Sandy, UT ) April 30, 2003             Dear Family of Leif Rundquist,

Leif was very dear to all of us at the Price ED-Net extension. I found myself constantly amazed by his insight, knowledge, passion, and caring. I learned so much from him, and was fortunate to have known him. People of Leif's character, and compassion are rare. He was a blessing to this world. It was an honor to have known him and to learn from him. I will cherish my memories of Leif for the rest of my life.

I wish you, his family and friends, peace during this time. You shall be in my thoughts and my prayers. Jay Otterstrom (Monticello, UT ) April 29, 2003 My Dearest Friend,

I met your beloved eldest child only once during a surprise visit
to the office that allowed you (an extremely proud mother) golden opportunity to 'show him off' to your circle of friends. He was such a good-looking young man with a charming smile.

Leif, though we met only once, I felt I knew you. I knew you through a mother's heart…your mother's heart. A heart that may not have always understood you, but a heart that will Love you deeply and perpetually. Your mother spoke with pride of your many accomplishments and of your great intellect. She admired your sensitivity and your ability to understand and work with austic children. What a Great 'mix' of characteristics you inherited from your parents. What a fantastic
legacy of good works and kindness
you leave behind.

Dear Gundl, I know you are grieving beyond comprehension. Knowing the
Love you hold in your heart for all your children has me aching for you. In time, you will come to know the meaning of Leif's early departure. In Time.       Jan Duggar (West Bountiful, UT ) April 29, 2003             Janelle,
I can not begin to tell you how deeply sorry I am for your loss, but I know through the many wonderful memories you shared together his spirt will live on in your heart. Leif touched many lives and was a great friend to many people and will be truly missed by all those who knew him. I am so greatly honored to have met Leif and to learn of all the wonderful qualities he posessed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family.
With all my love,
Trish       Trish Spens (salt lake, UT ) April 29, 2003             I wanted to write a note expressing my sincerest simpathy for the great lost you are experiencing at this time. Leif will truly be missed by all of us in the Distance Education Program not only because of his extensive knowledge and skills but also because of his kindness and caring for all those around him. He will be greatly missed but fondly remembered.       Clifford Farnsworth (Tooele, UT ) April 29, 2003             To the Family and Loved Ones of Leif,
Leif had a very positive effect on everyone he came in contact with. I always walked away a better person after talking with him. He will be greatly missed. The Lord must have had a great need for him to take him home so early in life.
May you be blessed with comfort during this trying time.
Sincerely,
Lorneta       Lorneta Ferguson (Logan, UT ) April 29, 2003             I met Leif the first year of the MSW program. I was very impressed by his gifted intellect and his caring and understanding personality. He was one of the warmest, most giving individuals I have ever met. It was an honor knowing him. I am so sorry for your loss.       Stephanie Laub Sefick (Farmington, UT ) April 29, 2003
slsefcik@aol.com             To the Family of Leif Rundquist:
I wanted to thank you for bringing such a kind, gentle and dear person into the world. I met Leif through working in the social work building many years ago, and throughout these years, my admiration and respect for him has continued to grow. For the last few years, Leif has been a teaching assistant in the program I coordinate and his dedication to these students and this program was legendary. Please know the distance education students thought the world of Leif and miss him terribly, as do I. Leif and I were also fellow doctoral students and he was so kind as to share his expertise about navigating through this program and to provide support in the form of "you can do it!" Although such a young man, Leif left a huge magnificent mark on the world. I wish Leif peace and for his family and friends, I also wish you peace.

Also, one of the distance ed students wanted to make sure I passed this message along. Her name is Brenda Hulphers.
"Please convey my deepest condolences to the Rundquist family and everyone who knew and cared about Leif. I am leaving on 4/30/03 to visit my elderly parents in Ohio and won't be returning until Monday night, 05/05/03, so I will regrettably be gone for all of the services. The world is a sadder place without Leif. He was one of those rare gems who completely represented the values we strive to achieve in the social work profession. Sincerely, Brenda Hulphers." Sandra Kikuchi (Salt Lake City, UT ) April 29, 2003 So often in life, you never know how many people you've touched and truly affected. Sometimes when someone dies you realize how broad their circle of friends really was, when seeming strangers come out of the woodwork to report the void left behind by someone's passing. I am one of those people from Leif's life.

I met Leif 7 years ago, when I was living in Salt Lake. We discovered we have the exact same birthday- (he's a few hours older, and he rubbed it in like a big brother would). Every year since then, even after I moved away and we lost touch, we have emailed each other on our birthday, to check in, to see how life was going. He was always so, so busy, I would marvel at his ability to work non-stop, teaching and traveling to Price and working on his PhD, and do a thousand things all at once. I wish I had his energy. I always marveled at his dedication, his certainty about his life's work.

I remember walking around CBTU one night with Leif, he showed me the classrooms and talked about all the kids he worked with. He loved them, he had patience for them like no one I've ever met.

He always had this great calming influence on me, I told him I felt like a neurotic high-strung poodle sometimes, and he was a big old napping calm black lab. He would call me at work just to remind me to breathe, or read me a daily meditation. He helped me learn not to sweat the small stuff.

Through my work, I encountered a deaf family needing emergency assistance with utilities, food, and Christmas assistance for their children. I brought Leif with me, so he could sign for the family and explain how to apply for assistance, and he was able to translate for me their expressions of gratitude for the turkey we brought, the Christmas presents, the coats… It was an amazing experience.

Leif used to joke about how when he would drink a lot he would start signing as he spoke-- I think of that all the time when I see people gesturing wildly in a bar-- maybe they are just saying hello to Leif across the room.

I've always thought he was one of the gentlest, kindest souls on the planet-- those of you who knew him better and longer than I were very lucky indeed.

This year when I emailed Leif on our birthday, I discovered with great disappointment that his email account had been cancelled. It just wasn't the same birthday without him… now it never will be. I'll always light a candle on my cake for Leif.

-Robyn Walters
1/27/70, 11:45pm Robyn Walters (Dallas, TX ) April 29, 2003
jilalan@aol.com

Leif Rundquist

Source Documents