Former RI Gov. Bruce Sundlun dies at 91

[Dennis Donovan]

Source: NBC 10 News

Bruce Sundlun, a former Democratic governor of Rhode Island, businessman, lawyer and World War II bomber pilot who was shot down while flying over Belgium, has died. He was 91.

A family statement said Sundlun died Thursday evening at his home in Jamestown. Sundlun had been in the hospital this week for an undisclosed illness.

"As a husband, father and grandfather he was our north star. We are deeply grateful for his love and lessons throughout our lives," the statement said.

Sundlun served two terms as governor. A statewide banking crisis and a budget deficit confronted him when he took office in 1991, forcing him to order emergency cuts in spending.

He won relection in 1992, but was defeated in the 1994 Democratic primary.
</snip>

Read more: http://www2.turnto10.com/news/2011/jul/21/14/former-ri-gov-bruce-sundlun-dies-91-ar-628792/

[Yon_Yonson]

1. Lived in Little Rhody for many years while he was governor

He did a good job and gets no complaints from me.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. He was also a decorated WWII pilot.

His education at Williams was interrupted when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He joined the Army Air Corps and was trained to fly the B-17 bomber because he already had a private pilot's license. On his 13th mission, his aircraft was shot down over Belgium, and Sundlun bailed out and spent six months in hiding in occupied Belgium and France before making his way to neutral Switzerland, said family spokeswoman Barbara Cottam. He later went back to school.

Sundlun was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Cluster and a Purple Heart for his military service.

Pictured in 1943, with his plane and his crew.

[Blue_Tires]

3. r.i.p.

from the projo:

http://newsblog.projo.com/2011/07/bruce-sundlun-fiery-former-ri.html