I want to thank the Hedlund children for making this on line shrine to Earl available.  I often visit this site when I am  missing my friend most.  It gives me comfort of having him near.  I miss you so Earl.......such a dear dear friend. 

It seems that I often fully realize the treasures of life, the true treasures, after they have disappeared. It is not that I didn't absolutely embrace every connection with Earl, as he was in a sense my "playmate" when it came to sharing humor in the most comical sense.  I often told him that only he could bring out the best of humor in me, and if I recorded our conversations, it would sell a million copies-  folks would roar.... he could often top my humor with his own. It was such catharcise and therapy for both of us..as we laughed with abandon.We had a mutual deep passion for nature, and for the arts.  Whether we were at the ocean, a forest, a musical, or play, or taking in art at a gallery or at a street fair, sharing our mutual love of  beauty was a gift. I wish I had told you how I felt about that Earl, and had thanked you for that wonderful gift..... To find one person who truly is present, as I am, in laughter, and  who truly has the same appreciation of nature and of the arts, is such a  gift.   I miss you so Earl.  My dear dear Earl. Thank you.

We did not meet Earl until around 1985 after he retired.  My wife was playing tennis at the Lincoln Street courts when a short round man walked over and said "If you ever want somebody to play tennis with call me, I`m in the book"  She said "I don`t know your name."  He puffed himself up as only Earl could do and sputtered "I`m Earl Hedlund."  Being a relative newcomer to Red Bluff she had never heard the name before.  We became fast friends and visited him often in Eureka.  He usually stayed with us on his visits to Red Bluff and we discussed many subjects over bottles of good Merlot or Cabernet.  My wife traveled with him to Spain, New Zealand, and several times to Mexico.  He enjoyed her company as he often said she made him laugh and did not take him as seriously as many did.  His later years found a much mellower and relaxed Earl who enjoyed a good meal, friendly conversation and several glasses of excellent wine.  He laughingly called me his "financial advisor", but only once in 25 years bought a stock I recommended, then complained when it did not make as much money as he expected.  A couple of years ago Earl gave me his prized bamboo fly rod.  This September I took it to British Columbia on my annual fishing trip and the trout were more than willing.  In a mattrer of  30 minutes or so I caught and released 15 nice strong trout from the Clearwater River.  That was my tribute to you, Earl, RIP 

The one thing that stands out in my mind most about Earl was his laughter. Earl loved to tell stories not only about others but also about him. Everyone who knows Earl knew he loved to fish.  In the 1970’s few people fished more with Earl than me.  I had a small aluminum fishing boat and Earl had an old Dodge truck we used to tow my boat.  Lawrence Riffle was one of our favorite places to fish and my boat made it easy to get there. One day we had been reeling in and casting all day without much luck. We had been catching sucker fish (trash fish) and it was late in the afternoon when Earl started walking down stream toward me with his fishing pole waist high jerking every few steps. I thought at the time, another sucker fish? Earl said “I don’t know what’s on my line, see if you can get a look at it.” The sun’s reflection on the water made it difficult to see things so I reluctantly reeled in and set my pole on the bank and waded out knee deep when all of a sudden the fish rolled and I saw the familiar rainbow stripe of a big steelhead. I yelled to Earl “it’s a killer Steelhead, be careful,” at which time Earl elevated his pole and went up on his toes with all the grace of a ballerina. All of a sudden the fish started what ended up as several runs back out into the center of the river, and each time it leaped into the air, we both would gasp. We finally got it in and Earl suggested we call it a day and get this killer on ice. We loaded up the boat and headed to the launching ramp and when we arrived Earl jumped out of the boat and hurried to his pickup. I saw Earl talking with another fisherman who was securing his boat to its trailer and later learned Earl’s battery in his truck was dead and he did not have any jumper cables. Earl told me “I’ll catch a ride with this guy and go home and get a jumper cable and be back soon.” There I was, stuck at the launching ramp, holding on to the boat wondering how long it would take Earl to get back to me thinking maybe an hour or an hour and a half at the most. It was after nine when I finally saw some headlights coming down the road and sure enough it was Earl apologizing for taking so long. I later found out Earl had been running all over town showing off his fish and it was only after he sat down in his easy chair at home that he remembered me. It was not so funny for me at the time, but every time Earl told this story it was funny.  I would never laugh, and called him a thoughtless ass hole, which would make him laugh even harder. I will miss you buddy.

In the mid sixties while in high school I dated Earl's daughter Patric whom I knew then as Patricia. On the very first date I went to pick her up at Earl's house. He wasn't home and Patricia invited me in to wait while she finished getting ready for our date. Left alone in the living room, I chose the lushest, most comfortable chair to sit in. As I recall the room was rather austerely furnished and I am not sure there were many choices but in any case I chose “the” chair.

I was quite nervous as Patricia was extremely beautiful, and intelligent, and seemed above my station, so I sat for a few moments trying to calm my self. I heard the front door open and then from directly behind the chair I heard what seemed to be the gruff voice of god say, “you are sitting in my chair!”

I was something of an athlete in those days but I am sure that I never moved as quickly on the field as I did that instant. I was sitting in his chair and then I wasn't, no transition at all. Earl didn't say another word, he just sat down in his chair, flapped opened the paper and began reading.

Patricia came back into the room, said something like, “oh I see you two have met.” Earl and I just looked at her. Patricia and I left and I have never forgotten the incident. He made an enormous impression with six common words. I did not need the normal father's admonitions about driving safely and returning his daughter on time. His tone had conveyed it all.

Ah, Earl ~ such saddness to hear of your demise but I know that being seated at the right hand of the Father, you will be sharing a glass of wine together!  Our 26-year friendship was simply the best, beginning when I became your secretary in the Red Bluff, CA office.  You retired, thus I was retired.  AND THEN my husband at the time transferred to Eureka and lo and behold, you retired over to Eureka.  We enjoyed you at the house for supper on a couple of occasions when our sons were home from college and after a bit more wine, playing Jenga was most difficult.  Remember when you toppled the final piece and laughed till I thought all our sides would hurt.  What fond memories we have.  First time I asked you to come join our family for dinner your question was:  "Can I bring my laundry?"  Certainly was my reply but you have to fold your own clothes (though I did it while the dine and wine flowed.

Thank you for the blessing of visiting you a year ago August and staying with you for two nights.  Fed me too much, drank more wine and what a treat!  One lady working with us thought we should just say that we liked good wine but we said, NO.  We're wine-os.  Oh my, did we get a look!  You will be sorely missed and most particularly our phone conversations with much laughter!  Loved you for the dear friend you were, Earl.  Toni DeHennis Osterloth

P.S.  I would include a photo but you were too damned stubborn to let me have the neighbor take one!  Hasta Luego dear friend.  T. Tig.