Bruce Joel Hedblom

Hedblom, Bruce J. 87, of Minnetonka, MN passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2024. He was born in Minneapolis on October 20, 1936 to Edna and Red Hedblom. During his senior year in high school Bruce and a friend joined the Minnesota National Guard Band. He had no idea of the impact that decision would have on the rest of his life. It provided him with an opportunity to explore an interest in band music, work with a group of excellent musicians, advance to higher grades in the military, and to exercise his interest in leadership. Bruce completed a bachelor's degree at Macalester College and later joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. He joined The Rotary Club of Minneapolis. He was promoted to Assistant Vice President of the Helena, Montana Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. While there he was named Boss of the Year by the Big Sky Chapter of the American Business Women's Association. He also served as President of the Helena Rotary Club, and later The Rotary Club of Minneapolis. Bruce moved back to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis in 1975 as Vice President. He retired in 1990. Bruce had a great love of clocks, and after retirement he and a group of friends purchased a clock manufacturing company, Kuempel Chime Clock in Excelsior. He served as its President until 1998. He and his wife, Carol, have a number of grandfather clocks, a grandmother clock and several wall clocks. The chiming does not keep them awake! Bruce and Carol had many wonderful adventures while visiting Rotary projects, including an arduous trek in Ecuador to see the Schwar Indians and their village on top of a "mountain" after a torrential downpour (It was not a pretty sight). They traveled to Egypt to see the Great Pyramid; China where they visited Xian and the Terra Cotta Warriors; the Galapagos Islands with the famous turtles; numerous Rotary Conferences in Sweden and Montreal; and they visited most countries in Europe. Bruce continued his service with the military and moved from the National Guard Band to the Army Reserve and in 1984 was selected to be the Bandmaster of the 451st Army Band located at Fort Snelling- the job he was meant for. For several years the band played for the annual Navy Ball. One of the band members came up with the idea of borrowing signal flags from the US Coast Guard station in Duluth. They displayed the score of the last Army-Navy game at the dinner, along with other choice comments like "Go Army" and "Beat Navy." At least that was what they thought it said. Bruce took the band on many trips: twice to Alaska in the early 1990's to support units in Anchorage and Fairbanks. The band played the 1812 Overture immediately following Retreat at 5:00 on July 4th. The artillery support was superb, but the fireworks following the concert were somewhat disappointing until the sparks started grass fires. The highlight of these years was the Band's selection to represent the Army Reserve at the 50th Anniversary ceremonies, D-Day, June 6, 1944 in Normandy, France. This involved two weeks in France, several concerts and parades, and opportunities to play for the WWII veterans who were there for the events. Bruce retired from the Army Reserve in 1996 at mandatory age of 60 at the rank of CW5. His military career was full of great experiences, association with wonderful soldiers, and an opportunity to make a difference. Bruce looked back with fondness and gratitude. Bruce is survived by his wife, Carol Cline-Hedblom; his son, Scott Hedblom (Faith) from Marina Del Rey, CA; and his daughter, Andrea Hedblom (Kadie) from Helena, MT. A private burial service will be at Fort Snelling on the morning of February 7. A Celebration of Life is planned at Washburn McReavy Dawn Valley Chapel, 9940 Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN. There will be a gathering at 11:30 AM with a short service at 12:00 noon and a luncheon to follow. Memorials to the Parkinson's Foundation, The Rotary Club of Minneapolis, The Rotary Foundation, or your favorite non-profit organization. Washburn-McReavy.com Dawn Valley Chapel 952-941-7686