It is with great sadness the family of Sean Cunningham announces his passing on June 12, 2024 from ALS. Sean is survived by his wife, Whitney Cunningham, and sons Colin and Ian, parents, Linda Cunningham, James Cunningham, siblings Jeremy, & Todd Cunningham, and extended family John & Debra Teter, Ashley Teter, Matthew (Claire) Teter, and Annie, Wesley, and Millie Teter. Sean was preceded in death by Bert & Maxine Cunningham and Gerald & Patricia Hoffman.
Born March 9, 1977, to James and Linda Cunningham in Saginaw, Michigan, those who spent time with Sean couldn’t help but observe his strong character. He’ll be remembered for his intelligence, kindness, humor, extreme compassion, his singular integrity, adventurous enthusiasm, and love for the great outdoors. He cultivated these traits and shared his passions in his sons, teaching them his love for skiing, backpacking, and kayaking to name a few. Sean also loved live music, a good German dopplebock, and Michigan State football. He was even known to have jumped on stage and jam with Hippie Sabotage on one occasion. However, Sean’s dedication to his wife and sons was his primary guiding star and daily motivation.
Sean achieved his PhD in June of 2012 and served as an Assistant Professor in the Division of General Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine. Sean saw patients at the University Developmental Assessment Clinics for ongoing care of medical and behavioral/psychiatric conditions. His work focused on the assessment of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental conditions at risk for behavioral and cognitive sequelae. Sean’s work resulted in several national and international presentations and publications.
Services will be held Friday, June 21, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. Family visitation from 12:30-1:45 pm. For those interested in meeting after the service a room will be available at Taqueria 27 4670 S Holladay Village Plaza, Holladay, UT 84117. A wake will be held Friday at 7 pm at Piper Down Pub.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the ALS Association. GO GREEN!
I am so sorry to hear of Sean’s passing. He was an amazing, thoughtful and knowledgeable individual. I especially enjoyed working with him in multiple projects within the Pediatric Heart Network. Always looking out for our patients and their families. He will be missed. I am sorry that I will miss his services as I am out of town.
I would like to offer our deepest condolences for the loss of Dr. Cunningham. He was amazing with my son and had kindness with him. He will be missed by all. My prayers extend to you his family, wife and son. May you find comfort and strength around you.
Deepest sympathy and may God's blessing of peace surround you.
I met Sean over a decade ago as a research assistant on a research study I was involved with. I was so impressed by his professionalism and enjoyed talking with him about neuropsychology and autism, two areas and populations that we both loved. We also loved talking about music and the outdoors, including places that we had traveled and backpacked. However, what I will always remember most about Sean was how his eyes lit up as he smiled and talked with such love about the woman that he had met and was going to marry soon. I also remember him showing me the beautiful pictures of your wedding. Whitney, while we have never met, I wanted to share my deepest condolences with you. Sean was truly a lovely, caring, and passionate person whom I know shared a deep and fierce love for you and your boys. I am truly sorry that I was not able to attend his services to celebrate who he was in life, but will raise a toast to him next time I am in the mountains.