Henry L. W. Nuttle

He was the beloved son of Elias W. and Mary E. Nuttle and is survived by his devoted wife of sixty years, Heidi Nuttle; daughters, Christina Nuttle-Bumgardner (Malcolm) and Eugenia “Gena” Nuttle; and four cherished grandsons, Andrew “Davis” Stafford, Henry “Rhen” Bumgardner, Jon “Will” Felton, and Alexander “Alex” Bumgardner.

Born on November 29, 1939, Hank grew up on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in the close-knit town of Denton. His childhood was filled with adventures along the banks of the Choptank River, summers working at the family business, Nuttle Lumber and Coal Company, and treasured time spent with grandparents, cousins and lifelong friends. Even at an early age, Hank’s intelligence, leadership, and determination were unmistakable. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout, captained his high school basketball team, and served as the Student Government President of Caroline High School.

In 1957, Hank began his studies at Dickinson College, where he majored in mathematics, played lacrosse, joined the Sigma Chi fraternity, and graduated with honors. His years there helped shape a lifelong love of learning, travel, and friendship. Summers working at Star Island in Maine and a study-abroad experience in Europe remained among his fondest memories.

Following Dickinson, Hank attended Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering. During his years in Baltimore, he met the love of his life, Heidi. They were married on September 4, 1965, in Baltimore, Maryland. After honeymooning at the 1964-65 World’s Fair in New York City, the young couple moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where Hank began a distinguished career as a professor of engineering at North Carolina State University.

Raleigh became home for Hank and Heidi, and they raised their daughters and later happily participated in the lives of their grandsons there. Life was filled with tennis at the NCSU Faculty Club, summer vacations with the beloved “Four Families,” and cheering on NC State basketball teams.

Hank approached life with curiosity, discipline, and joy. He was an accomplished tennis player, an avid gardener, a formidable bridge player, and a graceful ballroom dancer. He was also an adventurous traveler whose journeys took him across Europe, China, the Galápagos Islands, Costa Rica, Canada, and throughout the United States. He deeply valued music, art, and culture, and was a devoted supporter of the North Carolina Symphony and the Carolina Ballet.

During his thirty-eight years at NC State, Hank taught and mentored countless undergraduate and graduate students while contributing extensively to research in industrial engineering. He served as Associate Director of the Graduate Program in Operations Research and Associate Director of Industrial Engineering Programs, helping to shape graduate education and guide generations of students. His research in production systems, logistics, and supply chain management made lasting contributions to the work of the National Textile Center and to the broader field of industrial and systems engineering. Even after retiring in 2004, Hank remained active and engaged. He could often be found working out at Rex Wellness Center, attending his grandsons’ activities, volunteering in the community, or enjoying lunch at Whole Foods.

Yet beyond all of his accomplishments, travels, and talents, it was Hank’s character that left the deepest impression on those who knew him. He lived with kindness, intelligence, integrity, wit, and quiet perseverance. He was deeply loyal to his family and friends, generous with his time and encouragement, and endlessly curious about the world around him. Those qualities remained evident even in his final days.

A remembrance gathering will be held on Thursday, June 4th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606, with a celebration of life to follow in the fall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to PBS North Carolina (https://www.pbsnc.org/) or the Interfaith Food Shuttle (https://foodshuttle.org/).

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, is serving the Nuttle family.