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Post by Jim on Jul 30, 2014 13:03:29 GMT 9
I met the Bear at the Colorado Springs reunion when he gave me a big box of his special walnut, and again when he and Signe personally delivered another big box of walnut and he arranged special delivery by a friend of his on his way to Phx....... Bear, I will miss your unexpected phone calls on my cell phone... Thanks for for being a friend.... The Old Sarge ....... The clocks that were at WPAFB were made with Bear's walnut. This from bobski.. All F106 Troops, Here's an update on Laverne (Bear) Bruhn from Potter. I also talked to his wife Signe tonight and they pulled the life support..... She said one of last thoughts was about the F106 Troops. She hasn't been home to get all your cards, but keep em coming! Address: 1423 Minden Dr. Columbus, NE 68601 Pray for Signe and Bear..... Bobski From: To: Bobski9933@aol.com Sent: 7/29/2014 9:33:03 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time Subj: Update on Bear Signe called me this evening. Lavern had a pulmonary embolism within the last 24 hrs. He's on oxygen, but not expecte4d to last long. He was air lifted to a specality hospital and Signe doesn't have all the addresses and internet info with her. She was using Lavern's phone. (I gather that it was a rather rushed and confusing time to get to the hospital Lavern is at, and she didn't get everything she normally takes with her.) Dell
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Post by Diamondback on Jul 30, 2014 14:29:14 GMT 9
Condolences. And our community grows a little smaller, and the light of it a little dimmer...
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Post by LBer1568 on Aug 1, 2014 10:50:18 GMT 9
I received this e-mail a few min ago. RIP Bear, we will miss you. Lorin
All F106 Troops, I am very, very saddened to report to you that a very special F106 Troop passed away this morning at 10:32 AM. Lavern (Bear) Bruhn was on our F106 Reunion Committee for the past two reunions and was also assisting on the next (2015) reunion. He was the guy who hand built and donated the 4 wooden F106 models at the 2013 reunion at wright Patterson. He also made some beautiful wooden frames with F106 photos in them. He was one of the more outstanding F106 MA-1 System technicians. I was fortunate to have worked with him at Selfridge, Osan and Wurtsmith from 67 to 72. He also was stationed at a few of the California Bases in the 60's, Castle, Hamilton and George. When I talked to his daughter Vickie this morning I made sure she would let Bear's wife Signe, know that she is always invited to attend our F106 All Troops reunions, like we always invite all the widows and widowers. Signe Bruhn's address is: 1423 Minden Dr. Columbus, NE 68601 Aim High, Bobski
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Post by Mark O on Aug 1, 2014 12:54:51 GMT 9
Thanks for posting Lorin. I'll pass the word on over on the Facebook page. Godspeed Bear. Thanks for all you did, and love to your family.
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Post by shadowgunner on Aug 1, 2014 13:27:39 GMT 9
So sorry for the loss. RIP Bear. Jim Mattison
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Post by oswald on Aug 2, 2014 0:28:32 GMT 9
I'm so sorry to hear about our Bear. I have a keepsake from him [F-106 ADC cap] I will think of him every time I wear it.
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Post by pat perry on Aug 2, 2014 22:57:24 GMT 9
I last heard from Bear on July 7th. He was looking for some 456th FIS F-106 poster prints to frame for the 2015 F-106 Reunion at Colorado Springs.
That was Bear. He was always thinking about what he could do for others. Not to mention his skill at taking good woods and turning them into memory makers for people. These characteristics were shared by our own Old Sarge and that's why they became such great friends.
Bear was one of the finest human beings I have ever known. His wife Signe is just like him in many ways. I know she misses him very much, just as we do.
Rest In Peace Bear - we will see you again.
Pat P.
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Post by adart on Aug 5, 2014 7:46:17 GMT 9
I only knew Bear from our site here. What a nice fellow Airman. Rest in Peace and prayers to Bears family.
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Post by pat perry on Aug 9, 2014 7:26:36 GMT 9
A message from Signe Bruhn to all of Bear's friends:
Hi Pat, Vern passed the 31st of July, He has a friend re-doing the 106 picture you want. He built a special bookcase for him in trade for the pictures. It was the last item he built. He had surgery in march to fix the tremors in his left arm. This involved wires to the brain and a pacemaker. It worked so well that they diidn’t turn the pacemaker on. On the 18th he had surgery for the right arm. Something happened where the blood didn’t get thick enough. We went Home Sat even though I didn’t want to. Later that evening he was life flighted to Omaha with blood on the brain, in the section where the spinal fluids. He could communicate some, but got blood clots later which went to the lungs. I asked them to please let him go, as they wanted to go to ICU again. The morning of the 31st he went to be in heaven. I don’t know how to get to the 106 site. Please relate my thanks to all who have sent cards. We were married 52 years the 28th of July. God bless, Signe Bruhn
From Pat and all of us:
Dearest Signe Bruhn, We share your loss of Vern (the Bear) and you are in our prayers. Please let us know if you need anything. Here is a link to the F-106 Forum where our members have posted some memories of him. forum.f-106deltadart.com/thread/4811/bear-stood-last-roll-call
All of the F-106 family want you to know that we are here for you and want you to come to reunion events in the future. Bear has been a great friend to all of us over many years and we will truly miss him. All of us know that the reason that Bear was such a great man is because he was married to you. We thank you for your lifelong love and support or our friend. God Bless You, Pat and all the F-106 guys who loved the Bear
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Aug 9, 2014 7:48:59 GMT 9
It is a sad day whenever we lose one of our Patriot Warriors.
Our group has lost a number over the years I have been a member, and each one of them was very special.
I had the opportunity to break Stephens while he was in hospital, during his last days with us.
I never met Bear, but read his posts and listened to The Old Sarge talk about him, as he showed me the box of wood Bear brought to Payson, so more clocks could be made.
Bear served our Republic through some lean years, some uncertain years, and, yes, some pretty good years.
He was truly a Patriot Warrior.
He loved his bride and his family, including his extended Air Force family and the Sixers.
Fifty-two years is a long time for a couple to be married, as it takes a lot of work on the part of the husband and the wife.
Bear and Signe made that 52 years last month.
The prayers of our members, and many others, continue for Signe and the family, as Bear is missed by each of them, and each of us.
He has heard the Final Call of the Earthly Bugle, and now we all await the Last Muster, when all those from the past, present and future, will be gathered for the final Roll Call.
Pat P., thank you for posting Signe's note and assure her that many prayers are being sent to the Throne of Grace for her and the family.
Jim Too
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Post by pat perry on Aug 9, 2014 9:00:28 GMT 9
A message from Lou Pizzarello:
Hi Pat, Vern (the Bear) was a special help to me as I arrived to Castle back in '65. He was my trainer for quite awhile until I was eventually cut loose to be crew chief on 457 until the 456th moved to Oxnard. I went to Tyndall with Vern in '67 and I was amazed how much he knew about the MA-1 at the William Tell meet. He was able to calculate the margin of error experienced during the exercise to establish clearly that we had succeeded in the exercise. I never saw anyone else in MA-1 that had the same capability. He will be missed by all as he was always like "the guy next door" to everyone. Lou Pizzarello
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Post by Jim on Aug 9, 2014 9:55:57 GMT 9
Lavern Earl Bruhn, Sr., 74, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Thursday, July 31, 2014, at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at 10:30 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Columbus with Rev. Cindi Stewart officiating. Military honors will be presented by the American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. According to his wishes, Lavern's ashes will be scattered in the Au Sable River in Michigan at a later date.
Lavern was born to Earl William and Mildred Ida (Bauman) Bruhn on April 10, 1940, in Columbus, Nebraska. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1958. Lavern enlisted in the United State Air Force from 1960 until 1981, when he retired with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. While in the service Lavern worked on radar and electronics systems for various aircraft. The last plane he worked on was the F-106 Delta Dart.
Lavern served in the 94th Fighter Interceptor “Hat in the Ring” Squadron, out of Michigan and California. In 1969, he was deployed to Osan Air Base in South Korea for 6 months due to growing tensions with North Korea. While in Korea, his unit spend a great deal of time building an orphanage. In recognition for its role in Korea, the 94th was presented the ADC "A" award for outstanding performance. Later he served with the 87th FIS Red Bulls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In April 1978, his unit was deployed to assist with Alert Duties in Keflavik, Iceland. In the service, Lavern was given the nickname “Bear”, which he was still called by many of his friend’s years later.
While serving in Michigan, a mutual friend introduced Lavern to a local girl, Signe Jernberg, of Detroit. The two hit it off and were married July 28, 1962, in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Lavern and Signe were blessed with three children; Lavern Jr. (Karen), Steve (Kristine), and Vicki (Mark). When Lavern retired from the service, he moved to his home town of Columbus. He worked for Video Satellite Corporation and Paraclipse.
Lavern had a talent for repairing and building things. In retirement, most of his focus was on various woodworking projects for friends and craft fairs. He has donated a number of rocking chairs, hope chests, and butcher blocks for fundraising auctions to a number of charitable organizations.
Lavern was an avid outdoors-man. He loved to hunt, fish, and trap. In his younger days he was an excellent shot with his bow. He was active in the Camp Pawnee Archers and for many years worked on setting up and maintaining an outdoor archery range. Lavern would also help a local farmer during the harvest, just to have something to do. He was a hunter of mushrooms, turkeys, whitetails, doves, and pheasants. Lavern was always ready to teach you something new, complain about politicians, or go for a drive, just to “look for deer.” He liked spending time with his grand-kids as well. He loved to see them smile and hear them laugh. He also liked creating wood pieces just for them.
Lavern is survived by his wife, Signe, his three children; grandchildren; Shantelle (Kody), Hannah, and John; great granddaughter Kimber, his brother Richard, and a number of extended family members and friends.
Lavern was preceded in death by his parents.
The family requests that if you wish to honor Lavern's memory, you consider a gift to the Columbus Rescue Mission, in lieu of flowers. The family of Lavern Bruhn is grateful for your presence with us and your kindness.
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MOW
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Post by MOW on Aug 10, 2014 18:04:07 GMT 9
Condolences to his family. Rest in Peace Bear
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