Alfred “Al” Bobby Brydon
Alfred “Al” Bobby Brydon
Cedar Rapids
Alfred “Al” Bobby Brydon, 84, passed away Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at the Community of Christ Church at 1500 Blairs Ferry Rd., Hiawatha, Iowa, with visitation at 10 a.m. The memorial service will be livestreamed at www.joyhopelovepeace.com. His ashes will be privately interred at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.
Al was born March 8, 1938, in Irvington, N.J. He was one of five children born to Gladys and Larry Brydon: Carol (deceased), Nancy (deceased), Patti of New Providence, N.J., and Larry of Austell, Ga. He had many beloved cousins, nephews, and nieces, in particular Eric (Kathie) Peterson of Mooresville, N.C., and Kathleen (Bob) Ryan of Rochester, N.Y.
Al was predeceased by his first wife, Marilyn. They had two children, Natalie (Lou) LaClair of Fulton, N.Y.; and Tom (Lorie) of Marion, Iowa.
He is survived by his wife, Jane, of 37 years. Their children are Deb Brydon of Marion, Iowa; and Timothy (Janelle) Hare of Morehead, Ky. He had six grandchildren, Alexander Hare of Columbus, Ohio, Roxanne Hunter Beltz of N.C., Honor Hare of Rochester, N.Y., Cassandra Hansen of Central Square, N.Y., Margot Hare of Columbus, Ohio, and Casey (Lucas) Treangen of Waukon, Iowa. Al also had six beloved great-grandchildren, Owen, Gavin, Ahlana, Paisley, Nash and Lane.
Al graduated from high school in Summit, N.J. He graduated from the University of Kentucky and the Newark School of Engineering, earning degrees in industrial and mechanical engineering. He was employed in engineering during his career, which sometimes included world travel. He spent his last 27 years of employment at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Al was an elder in the Community of Christ in Hiawatha, Iowa. He was involved in many aspects of church life, but especially loved working with the youth.
Besides cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Kentucky Wild Cats, particularly the basketball teams, Al loved building cars. As a kid, and with his own children Natalie and Tom, he built soap box derby cars to race. As a teenager, he had a hot rod. He enjoyed going to stock car and sprint car races. In retirement, he was building a street rod from scratch in his special workshop.
Al and Jane loved to travel. They spent many February months in Mexico. They also traveled to Hawaii, the southwestern United States, and took a river cruise through Europe. In addition, they loved hosting and visiting Jane’s good friend, Kate Carlson, from Sweden.
The family would like to thank the staff of Boyson Heights in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and their Memory Care Unit for accommodating Al as he faced Alzheimer’s; especially Tracey, James and Bre and all the residents for their kindness. We would also like to thank the staff at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, IA, for their compassionate end-of-life care that allowed Al to die peacefully.
Memorials can be directed to the Oldorf Hospice House at 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233; or to the Community of Christ Youth Program, 1500 Blairs Ferry Rd., Hiawatha, IA 52233.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.