Dr. George Hetland Jr., 89, resident of Heritage Hall in Leesburg, VA; died peacefully on September 26, 2012. His wife of 55 years, Elizabeth, predeceased him in December 2003.

George leaves behind four daughters and sons in law, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild. George was born on February 17, 1923 in Manhattan, Kansas.

George joined the US Navy after graduating from Kansas State University upon hearing about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. George served at various posts during and after World War II. After returning home, George went on to earn a PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford University. Dr. Hetland worked in private industry and then as a civilian employee of the US Navy continuing to serve his country.
Among his accomplishments, Dr. Hetland jointly holds a 1967 US Patent on a High-Phase Stability Coherent Radio Signal Receiver. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Jamestowne Society.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Leesburg, VA on October 3, 2012 at 10am followed by interment at Quantico National Cemetery at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; 501 St Jude Place; Memphis, TN 38105; and MD Anderson Cancer Center; P.O. Box 4486; Houston, Texas 77210-4486.