A man of few words and great charm

Deepa Bharath

Bud Heilig’s sense of humor was subtle, subdued and delightfully

charming.

He could instantly transform a tense atmosphere into a relaxed one

with a certain self-assured calmness.

Bud’s family often saw examples of his brand of humor. One time at

a family wedding rehearsal, Bud was among those who had to take a

lighted candle to the altar and then blow it out. When he reached the

altar, he pretended to huff, puff and blow to put out the little

flame, which of course wouldn’t be put out.

Bud was born in Minneapolis and grew up there. Even as a

7-year-old boy, he had a fascination for airplanes. He made model

airplanes. He loved to work with his hands.

Not surprisingly, he graduated from the University of Minnesota

with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering and followed it

with a master’s degree in the same field.

Bud started his engineering career at United Aircraft’s Pratt and

Whitney Aircraft Engine operations. He later moved on to higher

positions at Northrop Aircraft and Ford Aerospace.

Bud was involved with some of the most significant weapons systems

of the Cold War period, including advanced jet engines, jet fighter

aircraft and tactical missile systems used by the United States and

its allies. During World War II, Bud served aboard the U.S. Navy

repair ship Laertes in the Pacific.

He even appeared in “Who’s Who” and was much admired by his

customers and peers. He handled major projects with intelligence and

equanimity and was renowned for his ability to solve problems of any

kind.

Bud enjoyed classical music. He was a percussionist and loved to

point out often that he once filled in as percussionist for the

Minnesota Symphony.

He relished the feeling of building and shaping things with his

own hands. Bud even built a harpsichord and clavichord. He crafted

Christmas ornaments. Bud had a keen eye for detail and it showed

every one of his creations.

Bud was already divorced from his first wife when he met Patricia.

They met in Washington D.C. and were introduced by mutual friends.

They had so much in common, it was hard not to get together. Marriage

was inevitable.

The couple traveled all over the world. They knew each other too

well. Sometimes, it was almost as if one read the other’s mind.

They made identical Christmas ornaments. They’d exchange the same

presents. Once, Bud gave Patricia a poster of a little Norwegian town

they passed through. Both loved the place. Patricia looked everywhere

for a poster of the little town, but she was shocked to get the

poster from Bud for Christmas, barely a couple of years after they

had been there.

Bud also enjoyed fishing, especially in Mexico. The catch of his

life was a 572-pound, 12 1/2 -foot-long marlin he caught off the

coast of Mazatlan. And while he was at it, he also enjoyed mariachi

music.

Bud was a man of few words. But his actions and accomplishments

spoke volumes about the man he was.