Donald Hawkes Bridgman

1926 - 2010

Donald Hawkes Bridgman
4/17/1926 - 6/27/2010


Donald (Don) Bridgman was born on April 17, 1926 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He passed away in Roseville, California on June 27, 2010, due to complications from pneumonia at the age of 84.
He is survived by his wife Joan, his children: Linda Patterson; Bruce Bridgman; Douglas Bridgman; Heather Vallier; Kara Bridgman; and 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Don volunteered at 17 to join the Navy to fight in World War II. Upon his return, he graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He went into a career in the Air Force from which he retired as a Major. Don worked as a navigator for most of his career with the Air Force, including serving in the Vietnam War. He also worked on the intercontinental ballistic missile project while stationed in Vandenberg Air Force Base. He was known to have a genius level intelligence that lent itself well to any innovative project. Ever the optimist, he was a staunch Republican and Cubs fan. After his retirement, the family moved to Lincoln, California, where they bought ten acres of land, built a house they designed and raised cattle and other livestock. He helped to start the family landscaping company, Bridgman Landscaping, with wife Marjorie, and daughter Linda. His son Doug joined the company shortly thereafter and runs it to this day. His wife of 48 years, Marjorie Newton died in 2001. His second wife, Joan Lundberg was a good companion and took good care of him in his final years. Don had a love of travel and each time the military family moved was an opportunity to camp across the country, visiting sites of interest and never missing a historical marker. After retiring, he continued his wanderlust, traveling all over the world.
He will be greatly missed by his family who will honor him in a private memorial.