08/26/2026
We celebrate the life of Rick Sundberg, FAIA (1942 to 2026) — as both an extraordinary architect whose vision shaped so many spaces around us, but also for the mentor, collaborator, and (beneath the sometimes crusty exterior), the deeply generous friend we all knew.
Rick had a rare gift. He didn’t just build structures; he built communities. He understood that architecture, at its core, is about the people who inhabit and use it. He listened deeply, laughed easily, and pushed everyone around him to think bigger and to design with more intention and rigor, but to never take yourself too seriously.
His legacy is rendered in wood, concrete, and light across the Pacific Northwest; it’s equally rendered in the generations of architects he mentored, the deep friendships he maintained, and the quiet spaces he created for people to connect. Rick showed us that you can be brilliant without being ostentatious, and that the most enduring structures are the relationships we build along the way.
We will miss his wit, his wisdom, and his wry spirit. Rest in peace, Rick.
A memorial will be held for Rick this October. To learn more about Rick’s life and share your stories & memories, visit: www.ricksundberg.com/
