Retired Colonel John R. Hed of the United States Air Force was born to Swedish immigrants in St. Paul on Aug. 16, 1920. And ever since he was young, his passion was aviation.

In his teens he enlisted in the Air National Guard and eventually went on to flying school in the Army Air Corps.

He later served during World War II in the Aleutian Islands ferrying aircraft.

Upon his return to Minnesota, he helped start the new Air National Guard base, now the 148th Fighter Wing, in Duluth.

In his career he flew over 7400 hours in over 75 different aircraft.

He even owned a prototype "Baby Albatross" sailplane that now resides in the Smithsonian, and in 2003 he was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame.

John was also a devout man. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since 1948.

He served in many capacities, and especially enjoyed teaching 6th grade Sunday school where he touched countless lives.

Colonel Hed was a die hard patriot and a devoted family man.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

He was married for 55 years to his wife, Artelle.

Colonel John R. Hed, a longtime resident of Duluth, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 at St. Luke's hospital.

Throughout his 91 years on this earth, Colonel Hed was a fine American who lived by the motto of "God, country, family."

He will be sorely missed.