Bjoern Erik Bjerede

Björn Erik Bjerede died peacefully at his home in La Jolla on October 17, 2023, at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Josephine Kiernan; his sister, Borit Reeder of Monterey, California; his daughter, Marie Bjerede of Corvallis, Oregon; his son, Bjorn Magnus Bjerede of Karlshamn, Sweden; and his grandchildren Erik and Ellen Lo. He is preceded in death by his brothers Anders and Christer Bjerede of Karlshamn Sweden.

Bjorn was born in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden in 1939 to Vera and Ejnar Bjerede. He grew up in Karlshamn, Sweden and received his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Electrical Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. He emigrated to the United States in 1968 working first for General Dynamics, Electronics Division in Rochester, New York, then in San Diego as a program manager. He joined the Linkabit family from 1979 until 1991. He was Director of RF engineering at Pacific Communications Sciences, Inc. (PCSI) from 1991 to 1996; and VP of Engineering at Torrey Sciences Inc. from 1996-1998, before winding down his working career as an independent consultant beginning in 1999. He was a well-respected RF systems engineer; was granted 9 unique patents; and authored many publications in the field.

But he was much more than his professional resume. From childhood in Sweden, with his family in the Bianca II, to the Convair Sail Club, sailboat racing was a passion. He was a cyclist and an audiophile, even starting a small company with friends to create high-end audio equipment. He was an avid enophile, tasting wine with long-time friends for more than 35 years. He married his wife Jo in 1988 and they went onto share life adventures together. Once retired, he learned to play the cello. He honed his choral singing skills with PACEM and the Masterworks Chorale. He became an accomplished amateur photographer- for a decade capturing La Jolla Music Society’s outreach and Summerfest programs, and for Bach Collegium. When Jo retired, they embarked on a new interest- cruise traveling and exploring the world.

Bjorn was an intense man, a lover of life in all its aspects- smart, gregarious, funny, passionate, curious, caring, and knowledgeable. A private celebration of his life will be held November 19.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The La Jolla Music Society Support | La Jolla Music Society (theconrad.org), Amnesty international, USA Amnesty International USA | Amnesty International USA (amnestyusa.org) or the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego Parkinson's Association of San Diego - Parkinson's Association of San Diego (parkinsonsassociation.org).