Donald L. Hedin

Donald Leroy Hedin passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024 just shy of his 98th birthday at Jefferson Health Abington Hospital, Abington, PA. He was born December 10, 1926 in Broadwater, NE, the son of the late Arthur and Maude Hedin. He grew up on his family's farm in western Nebraska and graduated from a class of dozen or so seniors from Bridgeport High School. After graduation, he begged his parents to go to an electronics tech school in Chicago and they obliged.

From 1946 to 1948 he was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army Signal Corps, stationed in pre-war Korea, where he was involved with setting up communication systems. He often said it was this period that prepared him for everything that was to come next in his life - career, family and service. After his military service, he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering at Indiana Institute of Technology in Fort Wayne, IN.

He went on to land a job with Philco in the Germantown section of Philadelphia and shortly thereafter met his wife Marion Pioch, a Pediatric Nurse at Temple University Hospital. It wasn’t long before they found themselves in Hatboro, P, first in Fern Village, where they raised a family of four boys and one girl.  He lived in the home they moved to in1966 until the time of his death (58 years). He was a member of the St John's Lutheran Church there for many years. His youngest son, Dean, carefully and lovingly looked after him in recent years. 

He was committed to his family beyond measure-relishing every little league game, science fair, scout activity, recital, football game, wrestling match, track meet, school play; taking his crew to either the Delaware river for water skiing or to Long Beach Island for fishing, crabbing and other adventures (giving poor mom a much needed break). And if anything is a testament to his influence, his four sons all became engineers themselves. He adored and was extremely proud of all of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He enjoyed a nearly 40 year career (1951-1990) first as an Electrical Engineer then progressing to various Manufacturing Management positions with Philco-Ford, including a three year stint at Philco Radio and Television in Sao Paulo, Brazil during the mid seventies.  It was an exciting time to be in the electronics industry and he was involved in the development and manufacture of televisions, radios/car radios, transistors, first generation computers, Sidewinder missiles and car engine computers.

Besides all things electronics, he had many interests and lived a life of service. He was active in the Hatboro Jaycees as a young family man, and later in retirement he joined the Hatboro Lions. During the 90's he enjoyed installing Lions sponsored park benches throughout "Main Street" in Hatboro. He continued to help his neighbors with whatever they needed and provided computer assistance and repair.  He could give a master class in gardening, and if you listened to him, he might be considered for Phillies and Eagles management.  Playing in several bowling leagues also kept him busy, once scoring a 7 series well into his 80's. You had also better watch out if you were ever challenged by him in the games of Horseshoes, Bocci or Croquet.

He was modest and self-reliant; truly a go-to, Mr-fix-it, not-to-worry, do-it-all, get-it-done man...and a much-loved husband, father and Grandpop.  He is predeceased by his: Wife Marion (Pioch) Hedin Son, Bruce Karl Hedin Sister, Dorothy and her husband, Ivan Griffith Sister-in-Law Marilyn Hedin.  He is survived by his: Son, Mark (Debbie) Hedin of Huntingdon Valley, PA Son, Dale (Lynn) Hedin of Raleigh, NC Daughter-In-Law Kathleen Hedin of Trappe, PA Daughter, Donna (Brian) Silverman of Cranford, NJSon, Dean Hedin of Hatboro, PA Grandson, Christopher (Brenna) Hedin and Great Grandsons Frasier and Thorin of Royersford, PA Grandson, Michael (Jacqueline) Hedin of Hatboro, PA Grandson Andrew (Andrea) Hedin of Yardley, PA Granddaughter Stephanie (Matthew) Kellar of Royersford, PA Step Grandson Zachary Silverman of Monmouth Beach, NJ Step Grandaughter Emily (Armstrong) Okeke of Holmdel, NJ Brother Carl (Joanne) Hedin of Joplin, MO Brother Larry Hedin of Bridgeport, NE As well as many nieces and nephews and their families.

Family and Friends are invited to his viewing and service on Friday, December 6, 2024 after 11:00 am until 12:00 pm with a Funeral Service at 12:00 pm in the Schneider Funeral Home, 431 North York Road. His interment will follow in Whitemarsh Memorial Park,1169 Limekiln Pike, Ambler, PA 19002. Memorial contributions in Donald's name may be made for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at pulmonaryfibrosis.org Here

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