OBITUARY
Henry Koester Hebeler
August 12, 1933 – August 21, 2017
Henry K. (Bud) Hebeler was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from which he obtained three degrees and numerous awards including the prestigious “Most Outstanding Student.” He took courses from Nobel Prize winners in economics. Most of his working career was at The Boeing Company where he began as an engineer, worked his way through financial analysis, procurement, sales, corporate long range planning, and ultimately became president of three Boeing divisions including the Boeing Aerospace Company in Seattle, WA. For six years he was Boeing’s chief forecaster and planner reporting to the chairman. He was a winner of a Sperry Fellowship, Sloan Fellowship and a fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and received an award from President Regan for Boeing’s participation in the space program.
His felt his most important contributions to Boeing were (1) heading the Minuteman Ballistic Missile systems engineering during the height of the Cold War, (2) the initiation and sale of the Short Range Attack Missile program as what may have been the first stealth vehicle and was the primary weapon for the B52 bomber and (3) leading the Boeing Aerospace Company from a previous loss position to the most profitable part of the corporation in the mid1980s.
He held two patents: one for an analog aeroelastic computer and the other for a lithium cooled hypersonic reentry vehicle.
He was on advisory committees to the U.S. Congress, Departments of Interior, Commerce, Energy, and Defense, an economic advisor to the Washington State governor and a member of Washington's Economic Development Council. He has served on the Board of Governors of MIT's Sloan School and boards of University of Washington and the Defense Systems Management College.
Mr. Hebeler worked with retirees for many years, developed special material for their use, and gave numerous seminars on retirement. After retiring he taught himself to use MS Excel and wrote three books on retirement planning, two published at the request of John Wiley and Sons. His Web site, www.analyzenow.com, was highly recommended by numerous financial publications and viewed by over a million people annually. Consumer Reports recommended his Free Retirement Planner above Fidelity’s and Vanguard’s. He emphasized conservative planning and a frugal lifestyle.
He wrote several hundred articles for The Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch.com and for their Encore’s Expert panels. A number of major publications have published articles lauding his help for retirement planning. He has given major presentations to the American Association of Independent Investors (AAII), the National Association of Professional Financial Analysts (NAPFA), medical conventions, and church and other groups.
He was the fortieth person to join Meridian Valley Country Club and was its first membership chairman. Though a high handicap player, he loved the game and eventually bought a home on the golf course.
He personally designed two homes, one in Bellevue, WA and one in Meridian Valley, Kent, WA. Both were finished on time and within the original budget. He helped neighbors with remodeling designs as well.
He served a term as president of his community’s home owner association where he instituted a formal plan to maintain appropriate reserves and, working with the County, led an effort to correct flooding in the area as well as to bring that part of the County into the city of Kent.
He loved skiing even though having broken both arms and suffered severe damage to his knees. When still employed, he owned a skiing condo in Crystal Mountain, WA. After retiring he and his wife bought a condo in Park City, UT, where he skied for three months a year for over three decades. He enjoyed teaching their thirteen grandchildren how to ski and gave them all a week’s skiing vacation in Park City as a Christmas present for many years.
He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a past group leader of the High Priest Quorum. More recently he was actively involved in getting members prepared for emergencies and helping Boy Scouts.
He is survived by his wife, Mirriam Hebeler, his own two children Linda Underhill and Laura Hebeler and his step daughters Robin Chaffin and Tari Jensen as well as thirteen grandchildren.
Services
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Visitation
Saturday, August 26, 2017
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Funeral Service
Saturday, August 26, 2017
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Committal Service
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Memories
Henry Koester Hebeler
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYBarry Johnson
October 12, 2018
Dear Mirriam
I am sorry to hear about Bud, there were so many reasons why Bud and I couldn't be friends, however, he was just that, a friend, from the get go.
I apologize for being so late with this message, news doesn't travel to me so fast since the Gloria / Mirriam connection got broken a bit over four years back.
It was always easy to see the love you two have for each other, remember those wonderful times you two shared.
I wish you the best always.
Barry :-3)
Sharon Pichai
November 27, 2017
In recent years, I had discovered Bud's website (analyzenow.com). Reading the articles there was like listening to an older and wiser friend talking. I will miss checking for updates to the "What's New" section. I hope the site stays up; younger generations can learn much from Bud.
Chris Petrie
September 7, 2017
Dear Mirriam and family-
Bud was extremely generous with his time and helpful to our family as well as so many others through his work. He lived his values of commitment to faith and family. The lessons he taught us about finances were helpful; the lessons he taught us about life were ( and are) invaluable.
Please be assured of our prayers.
Chris Petrie and family
Jack Broyles
August 29, 2017
Dear Mirriam
I received your news of Bud's passing with great sorrow and compassion for you and the family. I knew Bud well at MIT, having shared both a room with him for a time in the fraternity and our mutual interest in Aerospace. The intellectual competition at MIT was very intense, but Bud remained on top with his gifted intelligence, integrity, dedication and amazing capacity for work. Unusually for a person with such gifts, he was a good companion and friend to everyone. I was delighted to have renewed contact with Bud during the last 15 years, and finding that despite his well-deserved prominence Bud was, as always, still Bud.
August 29, 2017
Hi Mirriam
i could have read his life story for days, so many accomplishments, so many things left out. what a great man and fabulous husband & role model.
thank you for always sharing him with Christy & me when you came thru Arizona.
love Daryl & Christy Burton
August 28, 2017
My condolences to the family for your loss. May God's Word and loyal love comfort you at this time (Psalm 136:23).
Bill Mammen
August 28, 2017
Dear Mirriam and family,
We in Park City have always enjoyed it when you showed up at the ward and spent your time in Park City. You were great contributors to our ward family. Bud will be sincerely missed, We pray for the Lord's comfort to be upon you now and always.
Bill & Kay Mammen
Ada Hughes
August 28, 2017
Dear Hebeler Family, I grew up with the Hebeler children and have many fond memories of the family. Over the years I have lost touch with the girls and would love to hear from them. I am so sorry for the loss of Mr Hebeler and will always cherish our childhood stories.
Charles McLaughlin
August 28, 2017
Dear Mirriam and Family,
As a classmate and Fraternity Brother of Bud's, I too received news of his passing with great sorrow. During our years as undergraduates at MIT studying Aeronautical Engineering, it was my teaming with Bud on various design projects that enabled me to graduate on time. Bud was the " Super Star " of Course XVI during those years. His career successes are no surprise to those of us who knew him well during those years of learning. As I recall, Bud graduated with a 5.0, a remarkable achievement.My deepest sympathy to you all.
Fondly, Charles McLaughlin
Stephen Chen
August 26, 2017
Dear Miriam and Family,
I'm sorry for your loss - Bud was a very special person and had so many amazing qualities as an individual and public figure. He was an advisor to our company for many years and while I knew him mostly through email and phone calls we did meet in San Francisco a few years ago (with Ryan as well).
He will be missed by many - he touched millions of lives through his career at Boeing and as a writer and retirement expert.
Best,
Steve
p.s. I wrote this about Bud on our blog: https://www.newretirement.com/retirement/henry-bud-hebeler-memoriam-life-retirement-well-lived/
Phil and Connie Sutterfield
August 26, 2017
Mirriam and Family.
Connie and I received the news of Bud's passing with great sorrow. We consider you and Bud great friends, and greatly enjoyed the Ski Bees trips we we spent together. Buds passion for skiing was only surpassed by the love in his voice when he talked about his family. I know how much he enjoyed the great times he spent with you and family at the condo in Park City.
Bud was always a pleasure to talk with. He was always qualified, confident and humble. I loved the stories he told of his days at Boeing.
I always felt like I was in constant contact with Bud, thru his daily emails covering a wide range of subjects. I will miss them dearly. I always knew Bud was just a email away and knew you could always get an immediate response when you emailed him.
We will sorely miss Bud.
Knowing he is in a better place is comforting.
Love Phil and Connie Sutterfield
PS Please keep in touch
Richard Marriott
August 26, 2017
Dear Miriam, Bud was a great friend. We have skied together for many years and I always enjoyed his informative and often very funny emails. I was deeply touched when he called me on his cell phone after his Heart Attack and few weeks ago. I later responded to him that he reminded me so much of that friendly telephone operator "Information Please" that had the answers to every question and was so patient and KInd. I will miss Bud but I have many of his emails and sayings saved to remember him by. Our love you and his family. Our 85 yr old ski group will dedicate a run to him this winter. Dick Marriott
Carmen Ferraioli
August 26, 2017
Dear Miriam and family we are most sorry for Bud's loss. He was one of the greatest men I have ever met and associated with. I met him at MIT were all of us were Sloan fellows. We also met family and friends. We also traveled to Europe and Russia as part of the program. His continuous sharing of information and advice was superb. He could have been a National President. God will welcome him. Our best to all of you.
August 26, 2017
Mirriam and family, Bud was a wonderful neighbor and a role model for every generation. Bud was a brilliant man whose skills were important to Boeing and to retirees through out the country after his retirement. We send our condolence to you and your family. We will remember you in our prayers.
Bill and Loretta Malinski Kent, WA
Bob Schweich
August 25, 2017
Mirriam, the world has lost one of its most unusual and giving persons. We met at Clayton High in 1948. I stayed with him at MIT when participating in collegiate debate tournaments. We resumed an intense relationship in recent years including days of skiing together and oh so many emails about his ideas. As an investment professional I could really appreciate his wisdom. My deepest sympathy to you and his extended family..
August 25, 2017
Dear Mirrriam and Family, Bud and I have been friends for sixty-seven years ever since being freshmen at MIT and brothers in Chi Phi. Just last Friday when I inquired to Bud about missing his delightful emails, he said he was bored in the hospital and was looking forward to getting back on the daily emails. Earlier we even discussed his possible retirement in a tax friendly state such as Florida. His letters to his grandchildren were often copied and forwarded to our grandchildren. Judy and I always enjoyed his travel pictures and stories. Bud and I shared similar interests in politics, golf and skiing and apparently a mutually "high handicap" in golf. We will miss his daily missives and I will miss him as one of my oldest and most respected friends. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. John & Judy Farmer.
August 25, 2017
Dear Mirriam and Family. Bud's passing is a very sad day for all of us. I am grateful for the many days of skiing, playing golf and fellowship that we were able to share. Bud has had a wonderful life, a wonderful family and now has gone to be with God. We will miss him but we will also remember his spirit, his smile and his constant desire to help other people.
Fred Lavering
John Koester
August 25, 2017
Sorry to hear about Bud's passing. I always enjoyed reading his email messages and hearing the stories about the cousins growing up. Sadly, I only met him one time at the Templemeier family reunion. Sorry for your loss. Your cousin.
Jerry & Teri King
August 25, 2017
Dear Mirriam and Family,
We were so saddened to learn of Bud's passing.
You have our deepest Sympathy. Our hearts and prayers are with you in your loss.
Bud was a good friend for many years.
Jerry Warrington
August 25, 2017
Dear family, May the Lord comfort you in the loss of Bud's presence. We were both financial planners, fellow Christians and email buddies after our industrial retirements and exchanged items of interest daily. He will be sorely missed.
Jerry Warrington, Osage City, KS
Jim & Susie Maloof
August 25, 2017
Dear Mirriam and family, Susie & I were very sorry to hear of Bud's passing and we are disappointed that we are still down in California and will be unable to attend Bud's Funeral Service to properly pay our respects. We moved to a home next door to Bud & Mirriam in 2011 and soon realized that Bud was not only a great neighbor and friend, but also a brilliant and humble man. Bud and Mirriam invited us to lunch & dinner to welcome us to the neighborhood and I always enjoyed those conversations with Bud out in the driveway about golf and skiing and myriad other topics. Over the years I archived a number of Bud's e-mails which were always interesting and informative. Susie & I will miss seeing Bud and his always positive attitude even when he was struggling with health issues over the last few years.
Jonathan Clements
August 25, 2017
To the Hebeler family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I never met Bud in person, and instead only knew him via email and occasional phone calls. He helped me with numerous articles when I was at The Wall Street Journal, offering intriguing insights based on his keen intellect. More recently, he wrote two guest blogs for my website. At an age when many are happy to retire from life, Bud continued to make a remarkable contribution--and served as a model for all of us.
With best wishes,
Jonathan Clements
August 25, 2017
I am so sorry to hear about Bud's passing. I always enjoyed visiting with him and hearing about his family and day of skiing. Bud was always willing to offer sound advice when asked and it was always appreciated. He will be missed.
Trent Davis (Park City Utah)
Vicki Jackson
August 24, 2017
Dear Mirriam & Family - So sorry to have to say goodbye to Bud. He was a friend, a mentor, and a computer client. When Bud called with a computer ? or problem, you knew it was going to be a doozy, because he'd probably already spent a day or so researching the problem besides talking to Dell or Microsoft help lines in India for hours on end. Truly I loved to visit, because Bud always had little tidbits of knowledge to share. I know you'll miss him, and we will too.