Captain Charles Frederick Sundstrum, (1852-23/2/1927). "one of its worthiest citizens"

 

OBITUARY.

CAPTAIN C. F. SUNDSTRUM. 

With the passing of Captain Charles Frederick Sundstrum, who died at his residence, York place, on Wednesday, Dunedin has lost one of its worthiest citizens, and one who, besides taking a prominent part in public affairs in late years, assisted in no small measure in the early development of the province. 

Captain Sundstrum was born in 1852 at Arboga, Sweden, and was educated at the high school of his native place. He engaged in a seafaring life, and in 1873 came to Wellington, New Zealand, in the ship Douglas. On deciding to remain in the colony he joined the Crest of the Wave, and was later engaged in trading round the coast of New Zealand in various sailing vessels, of which the Martha Reid was, perhaps, the best known. He afterwards became master of the steamer Kakanui, which position he held for six years. After leaving the Kakanui, Captain Sundstrum saw the possibilities of a coastwise line of steamers trading out of Dunedin, and he went into partnership with the late Messrs Keith Ramsay, A. B. Campbell, and John Mill. In 1885 this syndicate built the well-known coastal steamer Invercargill, and on her completion Captain Sundstrum took command and remained her master for 12 years, gaining a reputation during that time as a captain who never put back once he left port. In 1898 he went to England to superintend for his company the building of the Rimu, a steamer of 343 tons, which he brought to New Zealand. He retired from the sea in 1900, and since then has always taken an active interest in public affairs. He was a justice of the peace, and was one of the oldest members of the Church of Christ in Dunedin, of which he was a deacon for 25 years, and it was largely due to his efforts that the handsome new church at the corner of Filleul and St. Andrew streets was recently built. Captain Sundstrum was also closely connected with the Y.M.C.A., and was a member of the board of directors for 11 years and chairman of the board for the past two years. He also served in 1917-1918 and 1923-24 as a member of the Otago Harbour Board. He was a keen bowler, and for many years was a member of the Kaituna Bowling Club, of which he was vice-president for the season 1903-1904. Latterly, however, he took an interest in the Otago green. 

In 1881 Captain Sundstrum married Miss Innes, the only daughter of the late Mr A. Innes, of the Glen, Mornington, who died several years ago. He is survived by a son and a daughter, Mr C. W. Sundstrum and Miss C. Sundstrum. 

The funeral, which took place on Thursday, was a large one, and, besides a number of friends, members of the Harbour Board, the board of directors of the Y.M.C.A., and the Church of Christ attended to pay their last respects to the deceased. Mr W. D. More conducted the service at the graveside.  -Otago Witness, 1/3/1927.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.