SOUTHWICK – Major Henry C. “Bud” Engelhardt III, age 77, a longtime Southwick resident was received into the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at home surrounded by his loving family. Bud had been diagnosed with bile duct cancer. Bud was born in New Haven, CT in 1935 and raised in Hamden, CT, son of the late Henry C. Engelhardt Jr. and Josephine (Fowler) Engelhardt.As a boy Bud spent many summers in Southwick on the farm belonging to his grandparents Leslie “Doc” Fowler and Jessie (Simons) Fowler, often bicycling the 54 miles himself. Like most summer residents he enjoyed swimming in the Congamond Lakes and Granville gorge. Bud’s grandfather was a descendant of one of the first residents of Southwick Samuel Fowler who built his home in 1790 where the Southwick Country Club now stands. Bud graduated from Hamden High School in 1952. In 1954 Bud married his high school sweetheart Alice Burton, also of Hamden.
Bud served two years in the Connecticut State Guard while attending Hamden High and entered the regular army in 1952. Bud served 20 years in bomb disposal, rendering safe more than 1,000,000 bombs and numerous other items including conventional, chemical, incendiary, biological and nuclear munitions. He served in Vietnam where he developed an ammunition control system which saved over 1.25 billion dollars.
Bud retired as a Major in 1973 and moved his family to his boyhood summer home in Southwick, Massachusetts. He served as the Executive Director of the Southwick Housing Authority for 35 years, helping many on low incomes to find affordable homes. As Director Bud was instrumental in the design, construction, and management of Depot Court, Ahrend Circle, the Berkshire County of Retarded Citizens residence and a home for the Center for Human Development. Bud acquired several single homes for low income families. Bud managed one of the most cost-effective housing offices in the state. He cared deeply for the tenants and served them with his whole heart.
Bud was famous for the homemade apple pies he shared with many. He had an annual taco and apple pie dinner for the residents of Depot Court. He volunteered as chef for the semi-annual Pioneer Valley Live Steamers railroad meets. When his daughters were on the Southwick High Student Council he cooked for their retreats. Every year he made the most delicious family Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.
In his free time Bud served on the Woodland School Facilities Study Committee, the Building Committee, and the Roofing Committee. He worked on the town complex committee for the town hall, senior citizens center, fire and police stations. Bud served in many capacities in the Southwick United Methodist Church for many years. Bud was an active member of the America Legion, VFW, SPERDVAC, NRA, Pioneer Valley Live Steamers, and the NATEODA – a fraternal organization of retired bomb disposal experts where he served as National Adjutant from 1999 – 2012.
Bud received the Grange Man of the Year award, was honored by the Rotary, and has twice been recognized as local Citizen of the Year.
Bud is survived by his wife of 58 years, Alice R. (Burton) Engelhardt; daughter, Diana J. Smyth and her husband Randy of Westfield, MA; daughter, Nancy M. Lehman and her husband Joseph of Simsbury, CT; son, Henry C. Engelhardt IV and his wife Alicia of Westfield, MA. Bud also leaves a sister, Charlotte Suraci of North Haven, CT; two brothers, Edward A. Engelhardt of Cairo, NY and David Bartholomew of Bantam, CT; a sister, Connie Hunt of Chicago, IL and four grandchildren. Bud is predeceased by a brother, Paul Engelhardt and a sister, Alice King of Portland, CT.
Family & friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service to celebrate Bud’s life on Saturday, December 15th, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Westfield Evangelical Free Church, 568 Southwick Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Burial with Military Honors in the Mass. Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, MA will be at a later date. There are no calling hours. Southwick-Forastiere Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or to the Westfield Evangelical Free Church, 568 Southwick Road, Westfield, MA 01085.
Bud was famous for the homemade apple pies he shared with many. He had an annual taco and apple pie dinner for the residents of Depot Court. He volunteered as chef for the semi-annual Pioneer Valley Live Steamers railroad meets. When his daughters were on the Southwick High Student Council he cooked for their retreats. Every year he made the most delicious family Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.
In his free time Bud served on the Woodland School Facilities Study Committee, the Building Committee, and the Roofing Committee. He worked on the town complex committee for the town hall, senior citizens center, fire and police stations. Bud served in many capacities in the Southwick United Methodist Church for many years. Bud was an active member of the America Legion, VFW, SPERDVAC, NRA, Pioneer Valley Live Steamers, and the NATEODA – a fraternal organization of retired bomb disposal experts where he served as National Adjutant from 1999 – 2012.
Bud received the Grange Man of the Year award, was honored by the Rotary, and has twice been recognized as local Citizen of the Year.
Bud is survived by his wife of 58 years, Alice R. (Burton) Engelhardt; daughter, Diana J. Smyth and her husband Randy of Westfield, MA; daughter, Nancy M. Lehman and her husband Joseph of Simsbury, CT; son, Henry C. Engelhardt IV and his wife Alicia of Westfield, MA. Bud also leaves a sister, Charlotte Suraci of North Haven, CT; two brothers, Edward A. Engelhardt of Cairo, NY and David Bartholomew of Bantam, CT; a sister, Connie Hunt of Chicago, IL and four grandchildren. Bud is predeceased by a brother, Paul Engelhardt and a sister, Alice King of Portland, CT.
Family & friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service to celebrate Bud’s life on Saturday, December 15th, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Westfield Evangelical Free Church, 568 Southwick Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Burial with Military Honors in the Mass. Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, MA will be at a later date. There are no calling hours. Southwick-Forastiere Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or to the Westfield Evangelical Free Church, 568 Southwick Road, Westfield, MA 01085.
