Robert D. Sundby

Robert D. Sundby (October 21, 1925 – December 12, 1997) was an American lawyer and jurist. He was a judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in the Madison-based District IV for ten years (1986–1996).

Early life and education Born in the rural town of Dunkirk, Wisconsin, just south of Stoughton, Sundby was raised on a small farm and graduated from Stoughton High School in 1943. He enrolled in the United States Navy's V-12 Navy College Training Program, designed to supplement the Navy's commissioned officer corps. Through the V-12 program, Sundby was educated at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign College of Engineering and the University of Texas. He graduated from the program October 30, 1945, received his commission as an ensign, and was sent to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado for amphibious warfare training. Following his training, he was assigned to Naval Station Great Lakes, but, with World War II now over, Ensign Sundby was soon sent home and placed on inactive reserve.

Returning to Wisconsin, Sundby immediately entered the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he graduated in 1949.

Legal career As general counsel for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities from 1950 to 1960, he gained expertise in municipal law and drafted much related legislation. Sundby also served as City Attorney of Monona, Wisconsin, from 1970 to 1981, and of Evansville, Wisconsin, from 1975 to 1985. He was subsequently re-elected without opposition in 1991. In 1996, Judge Sundby announced his plans to retire at the end of the 1995–1996 court term.

Personal life and family

Sundby was married three times. He married his first wife, Beverly Hocking, of Janesville, Wisconsin, in October 1946, shortly after returning from Naval duty. Sundby later married MaryAnn Ostrander, with whom he had four children: Michael, Dana, Scott, and Debra.

He died of cancer in December 1997, 18 months after retiring from the judiciary.