Alerd Magnus Hedvall

Alerd Magnus Hedvall, 90, of Round Top, died on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at his home in Round Top. Alerd was born in Denton, Neb. on April 9, 1924, the son of Gotfried Hedvall and Anna Caroline Larson. He moved to Seattle, Wash, while in high school. He married Lu-Jane Neumann, who predeceased him on July 5, 1945. Alerd joined the Army Air Corps as a young man. When the Air Force was created, he was in their first class of pilots. He was a career officer and flew gliders, helicopters and B-52’s. In 1948, he was featured in Life magazine when he flew a glider onto the polar ice cap to rescue two downed pilots. At one time, hewas Bob Hope’s pilot, flying him to USO shows overseas. Alerd was in the Korean and Vietnam wars and served in Okinawa, Germany and Turkey as well as on many bases throughout the country. He loved traveling and never tired of exploring new places and meeting new people. He and Lu-Jane retired to  Ocean Springs, Miss. After losing their home in Hurricane Katrina, they moved to Round Top with their daughter and son-in-law. He is survived by daughter, Ronda Herzog and husband, Mitchell, of Round Top; stepgranddaughter, Julie Herzog and her daughter, Natasha Salas, of New Orleans, La.; stepgrandson, Bill Herzog and wife, Pam, of Redondo Beach, Calif.; sister-in-law, Lucille Neuendorff of Columbus; and many nieces and nephews in Texas and Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lu-Jane; son, Howard Lane; sisters: Hilda Beach, Florence Kinner, Edna

Chrisman, Vinona Garrison and Ann Sever; and brothers: Nobel and Edwin. His family held a private memorial. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, 1048 N. Jefferson, La Grange, Texas 78945. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange was in charge of arrangements.