About Don Hedin

Don Hedin Nov. 5, 1920 — March 23, 2012 Don Hedin, 91, died March 23. He was born to Katherine Monroe and Harry George Hedin in Bridgeport, Conn. He graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a decorated World War II veteran. After he retired, he and wife Lydia moved to Sedona, where he became a full-time sculptor. In 2005, he and his wife moved to Carmel, Calif. He is survived by his loving wife; two daughters, Wendy and Holly; two grandchildren; his sister, Joan; brother-in-law, Bob, and numerous nephews and nieces. Don Hedin settled in New York City after a stint in WWII in England. He began his career with the newly formed art department of Readers Digest where he remained until his early retirement. It was at that time he focused on a freelance career of illustrating books and doing work as a fine art painter. In 1984 he experimented with sculpture and quickly found he wanted to do nothing else. His sculptures display a delightful humor as well as a craftsmanship that is evident in the expressions and details he creates. Born in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Don Hedin is a graduate of Pratt. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in England, North Africa, Italy and finally Washington State. Following his military service, Don moved to New York and began his career in promotion with the newly formed Art Department of Reader’s Digest as a staff illustrator. After working in several departments within the growing company, he became the Head Art Buyer and remained in this position until taking early retirement to devote his time as a freelance illustrator for various book publishers and to work as a fine art painter. He was elected to the American Watercolor Society in 1953 and was also elected to the Society of Illustrators in 1959. Four of his paintings are in the U.S. Air Force collection, and he designed two postage stamps for the U.S. Postal Service. He moved with his artist wife, Lydia Rosier, to Sedona in 1984, where they built their home and studio. The move made it possible for Don to explore a lifelong passion for sculpture. He jumped into the medium and soon found he wanted to do nothing else. Commercial illustration and painting came to an end as he devoted all his time to his new love of sculpture. His sculptures display his delightful humor as well as his careful attention to detail in subject matter and expression. His paintings and sculptures are in numerous private collections. He has won First Place as well as Best of Show several times in New York, Connecticut, and Sedona.