CFI Founder Doug Amundsen, 1947-2007

Brookings, SD, July 9, 2007--CFI’s beloved Doug Amundson lost his battle with a terrible illness on July 3, 2007 at the Brookings, SD hospital.  Douglas G. Amundson was born April 6, 1947 in Eau Claire, WI, the son of Orville and Freda Amundson.  He passed away at the age of 60.

He was a graduate of Hecla High School and received his two-year business degree from the Aberdeen School of Commerce.  Following his education, he moved to Chicago, IL and worked for North Central Airlines and Metron Steel Corporation as a buyer.  He was united in marriage to Jeri Haaseth on September 7, 1969 in Brookings.  They lived in Highland, IN from 1969 to 1974 when they moved to Brookings and Doug began a business partnership with his father-in-law, Vergil Haaseth at Carpetland of whom he always spoke highly.  He installed carpet and later owned Commercial Flooring in Sioux Falls, SD until selling it in 2000 when he retired early due to his failing health.

In 1989, several years before CFI became a national organization, Doug Amundson attended a seminar sponsored by the FCICA (Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association), conducted by Jim Walker, Chairman of the FCICA Installation Committee.  Doug arrived searching for ideas to enhance the marketing of his commercial installation workroom located in Sioux Falls, SD. 

At Jim’s suggestion, he organized a FCICA Installation Chapter in Sioux Falls by following the guidelines of the FCICA Kansas City, MO Chapter.  Under his leadership, the Sioux Falls Chapter was the second installation group to form.  He served his area faithfully for many years as the President, sharing educational information and training.

In 1993, the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association, the CFI was established by a group of 11 individuals.  They met in Sioux Falls to accommodate the attendees from the four chapters, including Detroit, MI and Kalispell, MT.  At this meeting, the groundwork was laid and the mission established to identify and certify flooring installers nationwide according to skill and knowledge. What a feat!  None of those in attendance ever imagined the monumental task ahead.  It just seemed so logical that if the professionals in the trade were identified, skills would improve, the cost of installation would increase according to the ability of the flooring installer and the degree of difficulty of the products to be installed. 

CFI friends remember Doug’s passion for flooring excellence and his desire to help others which led him to a commitment to share CFI’s goals with installation professionals nationwide. He traveled extensively during the first three years to establish the CFI Certification Program.  At that time, the CFI Team left home on Friday with the certification test on Saturday that concluded at 5:00 on Sunday afternoon.  Doug, as well as others, sometimes missed flights and did not arrive home in time for work on Monday morning, but never gave up on the goal to increase the awareness of professional flooring installers.  He definitely left his mark on the trade he so loved.

Doug was always there.  He shared his tremendous volumes of commercial installation knowledge with everyone.  The installers learned so much from him.  Whatever it took to get the job done, Doug did. He was known worldwide for the CFI Backing Chain that he created and shipped to help others understand the importance of backing as related to the installation.  We also remember an event that occurred in Detroit, MI when he discovered that his rental car was missing.  Thank goodness, this never happened again, but for many years it was a great topic of conversation!

Beginning in 2001, Doug’s presence was not as visible. His medical condition changed drastically.  At a young age, he was no longer able to work and experienced difficulty recognizing others and remembering things that were always so important to him. 

Doug was one who sincerely believed that CFI could make a difference. Because of his dedication and work ethic, it has.  Doug touched many lives and his legacy will remain forever in the hearts of his friends as one who truly made a difference with his life. 

Doug also enjoyed hunting, golf, playing cards and games as well as relaxing at the lake and spending time with his family and friends.  He enjoyed watching sports and was an avid Chicago Bears fan. 

He is survived by his wife, Jeri of Brookings; two daughters, Niki Jane and her fiancé Brad Hoese and Kelli Jo, both of Brookings; his mother, Freda Fuerst and her husband, Jim of Lemmon, SD; two brothers, Ronald Amundson and his wife Bev of Duncanville, TX; Donald Amundson and his wife, Laura of Blaine, MN; three sisters, Diane Buckholtz and her husband Wayne of Soldotna, AK; Donna Amundson of Las Vegas, NV, Rene Brooks and her husband, Wayne of Flint, MI; his mother-in-law, Jane Haaseth of Brookings; four brothers-in-law, Tim Haaseth, Mickey Haaseth and his wife, Laura all of Roslyn, SD; Kevin Haaseth and Todd Haaseth and his wife Shaun, all of Brookings; one sister-in-law, Penny Boettcher and her husband Steve of Watertown, SD; a special aunt, Gloria Haaseth of Roslyn; and a host of other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his father, Orville Amundson and his father-in-law, Vergil Haaseth.

Memorial visitation is Monday, July 9th from 5:00 until 7:00pm at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings, SD followed by a prayer service officiated by the Rev. Pam Fitzgerald. 

The Memory Book is online at www.rudesfuneralhome.com to express your condolences, memories and appreciation of Doug’s life.

Jim and Jane Walker represented CFI at the memorial service in Brookings, SD.