The Rev. Robert W. Sutherland, 87, longtime Negaunee resident, died peacefully Friday morning, December 15, 2017 at the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans.
Robert was born April 30, 1930 in LaPorte, Indiana to Verne and Alda (Rosborg) Sutherland and graduated from New Buffalo High School, New Buffalo, MI, Class of 1948. He served in the United States Army, 30th Army Band in Munich, Germany during the Korean War era. He was honorably discharged in October, 1954.
Pastor Sutherland began his extensive education at North Park College, Chicago, IL in 1950 and continued to Augustana College, Rock Island, IL where he earned a Bachelor’s in Music Education in 1952. Following his service to his country he earned a Bachelor’s of Divinity from Augustana Theological Seminary and was ordained in Hartford, CT in 1959. He then earned his Masters of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago in 1972.
Pastor Sutherland served as pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Baraga, Zion Lutheran Church, Skanee, Trinity Lutheran Church, Unity, WI, Bethany Lutheran Church, Negaunee and Eden on the Bay Lutheran Church, Munising. He was most currently a member at Bethany Lutheran Church in Negaunee. Post retirement he served in various roles in the Synod, including pulpit supply and organist.
Pastor Sutherland was a member of the Swedish American Historical Society and the Negaunee Lions Club. In his spare time he enjoyed music, Swedish culture, anything involving railroads, going on walks, cruising back roads and loved his dogs.
Surviving are 3 sons: Gerrit (Ruth Ann) Sutherland of Churchville, MD, Samuel (Cary Ann) Sutherland of Christmas, MI and Pastor John (Kathryn Beito) Sutherland of Hudson, WI; 2 daughters, Jessica Sutherland of Ashland, MA and Mary Kinnunen of Aurora, IL; 10 grandchildren; brother, Verne (Janet) Sutherland; brother-in-law, Arlyn Hedin; honorary sister, Nancy Kalweit; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Lois R. Sutherland in 1988; a son, Kurt Sutherland; sister, Ruth (Howard) Snyder; and a brother, Kenneth Sutherland.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 21st at Bethany Lutheran Church, Negaunee with Rev. Katherine Finegan, Bishop and Rev. Warren Geier officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Wisconsin Rapids, WI. The family will greet relatives and friends at Bethany Lutheran from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday December 20th, and also from 10:00 am until the time of services at 11:00 am at the church on Thursday. A luncheon will be held immediately following services in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Pastor Sutherland’s memory to Bethany Lutheran Church, 550 Cherry St., Negaunee, MI 49866.

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