Trond Arnold Bjornard

Trond Bjornard, our beloved husband, son, father, brother, grandfather and friend passed into the eternal arms of his Triune God October 31, 2011 at age 63. He died unexpectedly from a heart attack. Born April 1, 1948, in Tromso, Norway, his parents brought him to the United States as a child. This first sea voyage gave birth to his love of the sea as a Viking captain. Trond never lost his European roots having had the opportunity to live with his extended Norwegian family early in his high school years. As an exchange student, he also studied in Zurich, Switzerland. He picked up language skills in Norwegian, French, German, Dutch, and Finnish. Though born Norwegian, Trond became a nationalized U.S. citizen on October 31, 1961 and served his country honorably in the Army before being discharged in 1977. Trond was our modern day renaissance man: nuclear physicist, licensed merchant marine captain, paraglider, sailplane pilot, music instrumental composer and recording artist. Christianity, education and music were his foundation. A classically trained pianist he also played guitar and a variety of wind instruments in orchestras and bands. Education dominated his early life winning honor degrees in nuclear physics with Master's and Ph.D. degrees from MIT. He skyrocketed into a career as a top corporate warrior with Exxon Nuclear and Siemens' Nuclear in Richland, Washington, as well as an international marketing executive in the private sector. Seeking new and different challenges, he moved to south Florida where he focused on writing, producing and recording instrumental music while allowing his love of the sea to express itself. Trond cruised extensively on his yacht, "Valhalla II" in the Gulf Stream waters off SE Florida, Florida Keys, West Indies and the Bahamas. He was a guide for deep sea fishing in the Pacific Ocean off Newport, OR, and an instructor in the Sea of Abacos, Bahamas, for the Boy Scouts of America Sea Base High Adventure Program while sailing a 52 foot Erwin Sailboat. Trond experienced amazing adventures. He was once featured on the Weather Channel "Storm Stories" reenactment of a near perfect storm off Cape Hatteras peril rescue with the Coast Guard. Trond lived through such experiences while gaining inspiration for his musical mindscapes. His Florida website is still active for those who may be curious at www.mediamusicproductions.com. Like a true Norwegian Trond loved the outdoors, becoming proficient in skiing, hiking and wind surfing. The "Crazy Norwegian" of Richland, WA, in the early 1970's, he flew his homemade hang-glider off Flat Top. Later he explored and hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro, in Eastern Africa. An accomplished athlete, he competed in the javelin while attending Kalamazoo College, played semi-professional tennis in Florida, and was also an ardent swimmer, scuba diver, and fisherman. Always humble, gentle, and kind, he lived life to the fullest. Trond met and married Pam Dyrness July 3, 1976. To their union Erik Thor and Kristin Liv were born. Trond and Pam separated October 1, 1987 yet remained friends. Trond rekindled an old friendship with Renee Marie Huff and they married September 19, 1999, and promptly downsized to a "land-yacht" RV and drove from Washington State to south Florida. Trond composed and recorded music CD's and together, Renee as his marketing publicist, performed throughout Florida and the Bahamas. After their music and boating adventures in south Florida they moved to Idaho Falls. In 2004, Trond accepted a position with Idaho National laboratory, where he engaged in research and technical counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy and International Atomic Energy Agency, applying his international nuclear energy expertise to nonproliferation challenges. Trond greatly enjoyed his interactions with colleagues as well as the intellectual aspects of his work. Survivors include his father, Reidar of Atlanta, GA, wife Renee, son Erik Thor (Abigail) Jersey City, NJ, daughter Kristin (Kevin) Richland, WA, sister Liv (John), Atlanta, GA, brother Erik Jon (Shanon) Northfield, MN, grandsons Gideon, Richland, WA, and Thor, Jersey City, NJ, nephews and nieces Joshua (Lyndsei), Luke, Kristian, and Kari. He is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Karin. Trond, larger than life but incredibly grounded, was brilliant, adventurous, charismatic, hilarious, thoughtful and kind. A force in every life that he touched, he was a dreamer; few will ever chase their dreams with his dedication and passion. Trond savored every moment of his life and left nothing on the table. He loved his wife Renee; his children Kristin and Erik; grandchildren Gideon and Thor; father Reidar; sister Liv; brother Erik Jon and his vastly extended family, friends and co-workers with all his heart. Words can't express how much he will be missed. The world will not be the same without Trond. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday November 7, 2011, at Buck Miller Hann Funeral Home, 825 E. 17th Street in Idaho Falls, with Trond's Father, Reverend Reidar Bjornard officiating. A Rosary will be recited on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. with a visitation following from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home.

Service Details.

Visitation

When: Sunday, November 6th, 2011
Location: Funeral Home
Address:

Service

When: Monday, November 7th, 2011
Location: Funeral Home
Address: