Ronald David Hedlund

Dr. Ronald D. Hedlund, 81, of Estero, Florida passed away peacefully from complications of Parkinsons on February 25, 2023. Dr. Hedlund was a professor of political science for 50 years. Born in Joliet, Illinois to Reverend Henry G. Hedlund and Betty Marie (Nelson) and brother to the late Doreen Marie Swanson (Herbert), Ron graduated from Clermont (FL) High School, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, and his master's and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Iowa. His long and storied career in higher education began in 1967 as an assistant professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee where he later rose to associate and then full professor. Within the Political Science Department, he held several administrative positions and, beginning in 1980, served as Associate Dean of the Graduate School. In 1989, he became Vice Provost for Research and Service at the University of Rhode Island. He joined Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 1996 as Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Education, retiring in 2016 as Professor Emeritus of Political Science.

Under his leadership, Dr. Hedlund focused on increasing academic and research excellence which took many forms including expanding student learning opportunities, encouraging faculty-mentored research projects, providing research support and professional development for faculty, and strengthening academic offerings on campus. He also nurtured relationships between the universities for which he worked and industry, including initiating and supporting research partnerships. Throughout his career, Ron continued his own research on state legislatures (receiving, among others, 4 National Science Foundation grants). Solely or in collaboration with colleagues and graduate students he published more than 60 professional journal articles, books, and book chapters; and presented his research at more than 120 professional conferences. Supporting his favorite sports teams, hosting get-togethers, and being involved in the lives of family were also priorities for him.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Dr. Ellen (Parrish); his daughter, Karen Marie, Norton, MA; his son, Dr. David P., his wife, Yi Hsin (Chuang), and grandson, Jayden of West Hempstead, NY; nephew, Mark Swanson (Janice) of Clermont, FL; nephew, Kent Swanson (Ruth) of Orlando, FL; niece, Gale Marie Swanson Biela (Joseph) of Orlando, FL, and step-niece, Nancy Swanson Wilson (Thomas) of St. Augustine, FL. He was also a loving uncle for grand nephews and nieces Adam (Billie Jo), Kevin (deceased), Christopher (Jaime), Chad (Meridith), Staci (Terry), Kyle (Heather), Kellyn (Benjamin), and 11 great grand nephews and nieces. His extended family includes generations of cousins and friends of many decades.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 20th at 11:00 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Attleboro, MA. He will be interred at the Oakhill Cemetery in Clermont, FL. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in memory of Ron to the Clermont High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, Community Foundation of South Lake; or to a charity of your choice.

The Clermont scholarship web link is https://cfsl.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1024

To mail a check, make it out to: Community Foundation of South Lake, 2150 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont, FL 34711. Note on the check that it is in memory of Ronald Hedlund

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