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Don Hedin Obituary
November 5, 1920 ~ March 23, 2012
CARMEL - Don Hedin, born in Bridgeport, CT to Katherine Monroe and Harry George Hedin, passed away peacefully. A graduate of the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, he was a decorated World War II Air Corps veteran in the Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisian and Italian campaigns.
After the war, Don started to work for Reader's Digest, first as an illustrator and, later, an Art Director. He was sent on several painting trips for the U.S. Air Force (England, Scotland, Germany and Alaska) and these works now belong to the Air Force Art Collection in Washington, DC. He also designed several stamps for the U.S. Post Office.
In his free time, Don continued to paint and illustrate. He illustrated numerous children's books and painted many covers for various publishing houses. He was a member of the Salmagundi Club, the Society of Illustrators and a Life Member of the American Watercolor Society.
Don met his wife, Lydia, at the Society of Illustrators. It was love at first sight. After he retired, Don and Lydia moved to Sedona, Arizona where he became a full-time sculptor. He was elected a Royal Scorpion of the Arizona Watercolor Society. Don won Best of Show in the annual show at the Sedona Art Center. He liked playing golf and tennis. In 2005, Don and Lydia moved to Carmel Valley Manor to enjoy a more carefree lifestyle.
Don is survived by his loving wife; daughters, Wendy and Holly; two grandchildren; his sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Bob and numerous nieces and nephews.
Don was a wonderful husband and all who knew him enjoyed his kindness and joy of life. Don's sense of humor will continue to delight us with his drawings and sculptures.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Don Hedin
4 Entries
Samuel J Rummer
August 11, 2022
You brought so much to my childhood and my imagination. Your illustrations in the "CYOA" books were everything. R.I.P my friend.
Kevin Walling
October 20, 2012
I am saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Hedin.
Last year, I attempted to contact Mr. Hedin to express thanks for his work. I am sorry to have lost the opportunity to thank him personally.
Mr. Hedin had a tremendous influence on me as a child, his illustrations for the "Choose Your Own Adventure" series left an indelibly positive mark on me, assisting me to appreciate the power of art to shape our thinking, helping me to learn to read, and no doubt propelling me to a lifelong appreciation of reading.
Now I'm adult and enjoy the blessing of children of my own. Mr. Hedin's artistic legacy continues through me, as I intend to share the stories he illustrated with my children. I'm sure there are many others whom will be doing the same thing.
Matthew Levy
October 1, 2012
I too wanted to say that Don's illustrations for the original Choose Your Own Adventure book series in the late 1970s and early 1980s are deeply integrated into my childhood memories. As an adult, I own many of these books and still find great comfort and magic in them and look forward to sharing them with my children. I am sorry I never thought of emailing Don until now. While it is too late to thank him, I would like to let his family know he touched many, many lives beyond the reach of his immediate surroundings and experiences.
Sincerely,
Matthew
Diego Arandojo
September 30, 2012
My condolences to the family of this wonderful artist.
The illustrations that Don made ??for the books of "Choose Your Own Adventure" are an indivisible part of my childhood.
He left us physically. But his legacy has transcended the physical barriers to reach new dimensions.
From Buenos Aires, Argentina, Diego. -
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