HENTZEN, Clyde (Bud)

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Published on March 10, 2013 - Clyde (BUD) Emerson Hentzen, 88, passed away Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the Havasu Regional Medical Center with family by his side. Originally from Saint Paul, Kansas, Clyde was born October 1, 1924 to William and Alma (Kimmel) Hentzen and spent his early years growing up with his beloved sister, Olive Sue. Clyde’s gentle disposition and fierce loyalty to his family would lead Sue to call him, “Her Little Bud”. From then on, Clyde would only be known as “Bud” to his friends and family. As fate would have it, the two would be separated at the height of the Great Depression when their mother succumbed to tuberculoses. Bud moved to Erie Kansas and worked on his Aunt’s farm where the family noticed his considerable aptitude and arranged for his continued education. Despite logistical and financial hardships, Bud graduated High School in St. Paul, Kansas on May 14th, 1942 and immediately signed up to join the War effort. Like many WWII veterans, Bud rarely spoke of his time in the Marine Corps but had participated in two of the largest ground invasions in the Pacific theater. Originally denied enlistment into the Service for a suspected heart murmur, Bud traveled to Los Angeles California where the Marine Recruiters found him fit for full duty. At the age of 18 he was assigned as a rifleman / flame thrower operator for the Third Marine Division and would take part in both the liberation of Guam and capture of Iwo Jima. Upon returning from the War in 1945, Bud settled in Los Angeles California where he reunited with his sister and met the love of his life, Clara Parmenter. They were married in Las Vegas Nevada on July 21, 1946 and would remain inseparable for the next 66 years. Ironically they were raised just a few counties apart and Clara had moved to Los Angeles seeking treatment for her father’s ultimately terminal tuberculoses. Working his way through diesel mechanic school, Bud manufactured pots and pans in a metal foundry until he was hired by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power as a Garage Mechanic in 1949. During his 30 year career Bud continually promoted within the department and ultimately worked his way up to Construction and Maintenance Foreman responsible for multiple teams pouring concrete around the clock. His efforts combined with those of his men played a significant role in building much of Southern California’s current utility infrastructure, including the California Aqueduct, Castaic Lake Dam and hydroelectric power plants. After retiring in November of 1979, Bud and Clara relocated their home to Lake Havasu City and spent the next 20 years exploring the United States and Canada by Motor Home. Scheduling their trips around the weather, Clyde was always home for major holidays and family events. He rarely missed a deer hunt, fishing expedition or an opportunity to get into harmless trouble with his best friend Glenn Riley. Not all of Bud’s retirement was filled with joy. He lost his Sister to cancer in 1988, suffered a heart attack, beat prostate cancer and outlived the majority of his closest friends. But through it all, Bud continued to put everyone around him at ease with his humble and friendly disposition. Even near the end of his life, when faced with a major surgery he jokingly told the staff to “Take it easy with me, I’m no John Wayne”. Truth be told, he outlived John Wayne by 12 years and actually lived through some of what Mr. Wayne only acted. No offense to the “Duke” but he really was a “Marion” compared to Bud. Today, Bud’s legacy continues and one doesn’t have to look any further than his family to see the great contributions he made. He is survived by his loving wife Clara and three amazing children that followed his example of selfless service to others. His son Clyde became a Sergeant with the La Paz County Sherriff’s Department, his daughter Mary Lea became a Registered Nurse at Marshal Medical Center in Placerville California, and his daughter Virginia Lea became a Californian State Credentialed School Teacher. His sterling example also wasn’t lost on his seven grandchildren (Julie, Wendy, Tammy, Brenda, Kelly, Robert and Kristy) who strive to emulate him to this day. A couple of them even took it as far as joining the Military. While it is unfortunate Bud’s 16 great grandchildren will not have the opportunity to know him as adults, there is little doubt they grasp the significance of their loss but also hold their heads a little higher knowing that they are the rightful heirs of his legacy. Services will be held at a later date. Thoughts and condolencs can be sent directly to Bud's family or through http://www.lakehavasumortuary.com Arrangements are ubder the care of Lake Havasu Mortuary and Crematory, Veteran and Family Owned.