Hugh G. Bryce, 91

Hugh G. Bryce, 91

Died Dec. 22, 2008

Hugh G. Bryce, 91, of River Falls, formerly of Hudson, passed away Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, at River Falls Area Hospital after many years of battling Parkinson’s disease.

He was born on Nov. 30, 1917, the son of George L. and Lottie E. M. Bryce in Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Hugh moved to the United States in 1940 to further his education. He earned his Ph. D. in physical chemistry from Columbia University in New York in 1943. He then went on to work for the U.S. government on the Manhattan Project in New Mexico.

While there, Laverne Maggs came down from Canada to become his wife, They were united in marriage on Oct. 3, 1943, in Santa Fe.

They were blessed with two sons, James and Warren. The family moved to Hudson, and in April of 1949 Hugh began research work at 3M. One of his major projects was contributing to the development of Scotch Guard stain repellant. Hugh retired after 33 years, as a vice president of Central Research for 3M in 1983.

After retirement, he enjoyed helping his son, Jim, farm in Cumberland. Hugh was very active in the community. He was a Hudson School Board member for 21 years, a board member of the Phipps Foundation, and was an elder at the Presbyterian Church for many years.

Hugh is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Laverne; sons: James (Mary Jo) Bryce of Cumberland and Warren (Laura) Bryce of Beach Park; grandchildren: Nicole, Jason, Todd, George, Anatoliy, Pavel and Olga; brothers: Arthur (Kay) Bryce and Ronald (Mary) Bryce; sister, Muriel (R. B. “Bud”) Pritchard; sister-in-law, Mary Kingsley; many nieces and nephews; and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Alistar Bryce, in 1963.

A funeral service was held on Monday, Dec. 29, at the First Presbyterian Church in Hudson.

Interment was at Willow River Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the church.

Services were entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home.

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