Richard Duane BJELLAND

BJELLAND, MARTIN, NORMAN, SCHARLUND

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/30/2008 at 09:17:56

Bulletin, The (Bend, OR)
October 8, 2008

Richard ‘Dick' Duane Bjelland
April 15, 1943 - October 3, 2008

Richard "Dick" D. Bjelland of Redmond, Oregon died in Bend on Friday, October 3, 2008 at the age of 65 years. He was born on April 15, 1943 in Eagle Grove, Iowa to parents, James and Beatrice (Martin) Bjelland. He was raised on a farm in Iowa, and moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon with family in 1961, where he developed his career as a fireman, paramedic, and policeman. He worked in the lumber industry driving trucks while acquiring a pilot's license and attending college at Oregon State University. His interest in construction took him to Washington State where he worked as a construction superintendent for a number of years, before returning to Oregon and truck operation again in Creswell. Dick moved to Redmond to be closer to family about six years ago and continued to drive trucks. Then he switched careers to become a cabinet installer before finally obtaining employment at Redmond Air, where he was able to spend his final days serving in the aviation field - one of his greatest loves. His other interests included, airplanes, tractors, toy trains, John Wayne paraphernalia, boat racing, truck driving and patriotism, his beloved Pomeranian dog "Little Guy' - the love of his life.

Survivors include sisters: Constance Norman, of Redmond and Jeanne Scharlund and husband, Randy, of Powell Butte, OR. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at Redmond Air, 705 SE Salmon Ave., Redmond. Redmond Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.