“Apa” Troy Allen Uygupghaq Klunder

“Apa” Troy Allen Uygupghaq Klunder was taken to be with the Lord on November 26, 2022. Troy was born July 8, 1962 to Charles Allen and Geraldine “Reno’ Klunder in Glascow, Montana. Troy was raised in Alaska, his father had been a weather beurau agent from 1962 to 1992. He graduated High School in 1980 in Metlakatla.

In 1987 Troy joined the Army and served during the Gulf war and was deployed to Saudi Arabia. After completing his time in the Army, Troy returned to Alaska where he then helped his parents move to Havre, Montana. There he attended MSU-Northern and received a bachlors degree in Diesel Mechanics.

In 1999 he met the love of his life Kathleen Tice Schwenke. They were married on Troy’s birthday in 2000. A year later Troy and Kathie (a teacher) moved to Gambell, Alaska.

Troy began work at Norton Sound Health Corporation as a Health Aid in 2002 working at the clinic until his death.  Known as “Apa Troy” he touched the hearts of many. Children adored him, his bedside humor as a Health Aid left some in laughter. He would sometimes tell a young boy when being tested for strep that he had to check to see if he was pregnant. Bringing in the results he would say, ‘Well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news. Good news you’re not pregnant!’ leaving the child in relief and the mother in stitches. Troy was a big teddy bear and loved by many. He befriended everyone he met, was willing to go the extra mile to help people. He will be truly missed by many.

Troy is survived by his wife Kathleen, his mother Geraldine of Havre, MT, sister Tana Klunder and companion John Watkins of Anchorage, AK, sister Carla (Angel) Santiago Vacaville, CA and brother Torin (Robyn) Colorado Springs, CO, step daughter Jennell (Earl) Rempel, Kalispell, MT, step daughter Miranda (Haas) Schwenke, Big Sandy, MT, his step son Christopher Schwenke and nine grandchildren with a great granchild on the way.

He is preceded in death by his father Charles Allen.