Alan David Sundal

Alan Sundal

Age 86, of Morris, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, surrounded by the love and presence of family and friends.

Born June 28, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, Alan was the son of Goldie (Larson) Sundal, originally of Gardner, Illinois, and Ivan David Smith of Pontiac, Illinois. He spent his formative years in Iowa and Odell, Illinois, and it was during his freshman year of high school in Osage, Iowa, that his extraordinary artistic talents first began to emerge, setting the course for a lifelong passion that would ultimately become both his vocation and his legacy.

A proud and devoted veteran of the United States Navy, Alan served his country from 1957 until 1961 as a member of Destroyer Squadron 36 aboard the USS Robert L. Wilson (DDE-847). During the Cold War, his service took him throughout the North Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean, where his experiences at sea fostered an enduring fascination with naval history, maritime vessels, and the extraordinary men who served aboard them. His pride in his military service remained a defining part of his identity throughout his life, and his love of the Navy would ultimately become one of the most significant influences upon his artistic career.

Following his honorable military service, Alan ventured to Greenwich Village, New York, in 1961, immersing himself in the vibrant bohemian art movement of the era. There, he studied under accomplished street artists, refining his natural abilities while developing a distinctive artistic style. He furthered his education at the Institute of Poppenhausen in College Point, Long Island, and quickly earned recognition among his peers, gaining critical acceptance and commercial success through the sale of his original works.

Completely self-employed throughout his professional life, Alan possessed the rare ability to transform his greatest passion into his life's work. His artistic career spanned more than six decades, during which he earned national recognition, established successful galleries, and gained the admiration of fellow artists and collectors alike. His professional accomplishments included recognition in Who's Who in American Art, and he was a member of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA), reflecting his dedication to excellence in the field of maritime art.

Throughout the 1960s, Alan traveled extensively across the United States, drawing inspiration from the diverse landscapes, communities, and historical subjects he encountered. His remarkable versatility allowed him to work across numerous artistic media, including oils, acrylics, pastels, and ballpoint pen drawings, while his exceptional attention to detail extended to the creation of intricately hand-carved ship models. His talents were also sought for large-scale public artwork, including prominent murals in Joliet, Illinois, where he completed notable commissions along historic Route 66 at the Colonial Restaurant.

During the 1970s, Alan's adventurous spirit led him to become an active professional scuba diver, participating in underwater recovery operations. His experiences beneath the water's surface offered yet another perspective from which to appreciate the natural world, while he continued to broaden his artistic abilities and refine the techniques that distinguished his work.

In the early 1970s, Alan established the A. Sundal Studio and Gallery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, beneath its distinctive hand-carved wooden sign. The gallery became a destination for visitors and art collectors exploring the Great Smoky Mountains. Inspired by the region's natural beauty and historical character, he created numerous celebrated works, including his well-known Cades Cove Collection, capturing the landscapes and enduring heritage of one of the Smokies' most treasured locations.

While operating his Gatlinburg gallery, Alan also made selected original pen drawings available through meticulously produced, full-color limited-edition reproductions. Printed on the highest-quality rag paper, these editions were limited to quantities ranging from 150 to 750, individually numbered and personally signed by the artist, with accompanying letters of authenticity. These works allowed a broader audience to appreciate and collect his artistry while preserving the distinction and integrity of his original creations.

In 1981, Alan expanded his artistic endeavors to Florida, establishing galleries in Sarasota and Venice while also making his home in Lutz. The state's distinctive landscapes, coastal beauty, and remarkable natural environments provided inspiration for some of his most recognized collections. Among them were his Everglades Collection, celebrating the untamed beauty of Florida's backcountry, and his Lighthouse Collection, portraying the enduring maritime landmarks of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

His lifelong devotion to naval history and the sea also inspired an extraordinary body of maritime artwork, including meticulously researched and detailed depictions of historic military vessels, maritime events, and lifesaving rescues. His nautical paintings have been exhibited at United States Coast Guard museums in New London, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C., as well as at Boston Harbor and the Scituate Historical Society in Massachusetts.

Among the most significant representations of his life's work is the Sullivan Collection, comprising 58 original paintings depicting historical maritime subjects and lifesaving rescues. This remarkable collection stands as a testament to Alan's artistic precision, historical appreciation, and unwavering commitment to preserving the stories of those who served upon the water.

Over the course of his career, Alan's paintings were represented in fine art galleries throughout the East Coast, and he traveled extensively to participate in juried exhibitions, cultivating a devoted following of collectors who appreciated both the technical mastery and historical significance of his work. Whether capturing the quiet beauty of a mountain landscape, the solitude of a coastal lighthouse, or the commanding presence of a naval vessel, Alan approached every subject with an artist's imagination, a historian's curiosity, and a craftsman's extraordinary attention to detail.

In later years, Alan found peace and renewed inspiration amid the rolling landscapes of Missouri, where he enjoyed the companionship of his beloved service dog, Jojo, who remained faithfully by his side through every season. Even following his retirement from the demands of professional gallery ownership, his creative spirit never diminished. He continued painting, traveling, engaging with others through social media, and sharing his extensive knowledge of American naval history and historic ships. His enthusiasm for art, history, and the experiences that had shaped his life remained as vibrant as ever.

Throughout his later years, Alan was blessed by the steadfast love and devotion of his daughter, Zora, whose compassionate care provided him with comfort, encouragement, and companionship. Her selfless attention ensured that he was nourished, supported, and surrounded by love, reflecting the extraordinary bond they shared.

Beyond the galleries, exhibitions, private collections, and public murals that bear his signature across the country, perhaps Alan's most meaningful legacy is the creative spirit he passed along to his family. What began as the passion of a young student in Iowa became a remarkable artistic inheritance, connecting generations through imagination, creativity, and a shared appreciation for the beauty of the world.

Alan lived a life guided by independence, determination, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. He was an artist in the truest sense, never separating his profession from his passion, and a proud American veteran whose love of country and reverence for naval service remained close to his heart. His life's work will continue to tell stories, preserve history, and inspire others long after his passing.

Above all, Alan will be remembered as a deeply cherished father to in his daughter, Zora Baron – Kiest and her husband Joshua Kiest; grandchildren, Joseph Pursell and Lauren Baron – Brewer and her husband, Ryan; his great-grandchildren, Garrett Sullivan and Adrienne Sullivan and friend to many including, Mark and the late Kay (Sitar) Francisco, as well as all the lives of those fortunate enough to know him.

Private graveside services will be held, and Alan will be laid to rest with full military honors at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

Family and friends are encouraged to visit www.FrulandFuneral.com to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Alan's memorial page through social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory.