Dennis D. Pederson Obituary

Richard Rue '56 said:

He taught me about hunting and trapping along nearby lakes about 5 miles north of Willmar. Together we learned much from the owner of the truck and tractor machine shop on the highway near Eagle lake. We learned how to completely take a Model T Ford car apart, fix the engine and transmission, and make the car look and run like new. We both learned that working on tough problems works better if you use the available resources to get a great solution. While I was working at the Naval Weapons Center in China Lake, CA in the 1960's, that training helped me to invent the first television camera aided military drone aircraft. Two US patents numbers 3,564,134 and 3,557,134 were awarded, that I assigned to the Secretary of the Navy. The current UAV's are the outcome of that work. Dennis and I became licensed pilots, and I managed to survive several serious situations. Sadly, the mechanic didn't get his Cessna gassed up before heading for home in Anoka.

Richard Rue '56 said:

Dennis taught me many useful things including how to drive and fix cars, trap mink, take care of a dog, and enjoy shooting pool. We shared a rooming house in Minneapolis while attending Augsburg College. During that time we shared the parking lot with his 1926 model T coupe, and my recently acquired 1926 Model T 1 door sedan. I may post of photo of that in the future. We even went hunting in the cornfields for pheasants, and geese in the passes between hills.

Richard Rue '56 said:

Together we restored a 1926 model T ford coupe and took turns driving it. He joined me at Augsburg college. Died while flying his Cessna from St. Cloud.