Hugo Gerhard Gooderum

Hugo Gooderum, Jr., 91, of Cathedral City, California died peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 3, 2016. Hugo was born to the late Hugo and Margaret Gooderum on September 16, 1924 in Canby, Minnesota.

He served as a U.S. Army rifleman and scout on the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge, battling through France, Belgium, and Germany. He received the Silver Star Medal for "gallantry in action," as well as a Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, and 3 Bronze Service Stars for his service.

Later, he graduated top of his class from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

His sister, Joan (Gooderum) Couillard, brought home a friend for the weekend, which is how Hugo met the love of his life, Norma, to whom he was married for 65 years. They resided in Seattle, Minneapolis, Torrance, Anaheim, Oxnard, and Riverside, before retiring to the warmer weather in Cathedral City, California.

Utilizing a 6-inch slide rule, he served as the Chief Engineer for the SR-71 reconnaissance airplane at Norton Air Force Base and its test site in Palmdale, CA. He demanded excellence of himself and of all those around him, encouraging others to achieve their best. Leisure time was enjoyed with family, football games, working on cars, gardening, fishing, rocketry and always included a good meal. Hugo was preceded in death by his loving wife, Norma Gooderum and sister Joan Couillard; Survived by his 4 children, Gary (Roberta) Gooderum, Jane (Blane) Bockhacker, Marilyn Shulman and her late husband Elliot, and Paula Gooderum; grandfather to five and great-grandfather to seven.

A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at Forest Lawn in Cathedral City, California. Graveside Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at Desert Memorial Park, Cathedral City, California.

To view and sign the guestbook, please visit: mydesert.com/obituaries