George (Bud) Augustus Barnard III was born on January 15, 1921 in Worcester, MA and passed away on September 15, 2015 in Redmond, WA. His dear wife, Annette (Bunny) Bilodeau Barnard predeceased him in 2005. He is survived by his loving adopted family, nieces, nephews, and friends. He is very dearly missed.
Bud lived a storied life. While in high school, he attended the 1937 Boy Scout World Jamboree in Holland, traveling through several European countries including Hitler's pre-war Germany. After Pearl Harbor in Dec. 1941, he enlisted in the Army. Given a deferment to study "electronics," he graduated early from Harvard in 1942 and received a direct commission as Army 2nd Lt. assigned as Officer in Charge of a "secret" radar unit. Later, he witnessed the Bikini-Atoll atom bomb test from a hillside in Honolulu; spent several years performing aero-magnetic surveys for oil in Venezuela, Colombia, India, and Peru; participated in the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) effort to create the world's first commercial computer (for Bank of America); and worked at Ampex (tape recorders), Philco/Ford (Gemini and Apollo space programs), Boeing, and Weyerhaeuser. After retirement he worked as an activist on behalf of native Hawaiians trying to regain their indigenous rights, and in 2010 self-published his first book, a compendium of more than 300 of his dear wife's recipes entitled Aunt Bunny's Favorite Recipes.
Bud grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts. In his youth, he was inspired by Lindbergh flying over their house in the Spirit of St. Louis. He learned about the far-flung regions of the world through his experiments with ham radio. It was this hobby that spawned his interest in electronics and languages - Bud perfected his French while at Exeter and later went on to learn Spanish and German, as well as a rudimentary command of Hawaiian, Mandarin and Hindustani. After graduating from Exeter, Bud earned bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering at Harvard and Stanford, respectively.
While visiting the Hawaiian Islands after World War 2, Bud met "the most wonderful girl in the world," Annette Bilodeau. Bud quit his mainland job and got a job in Hawaii so he could court Annette. The two married in 1949 and enjoyed a marriage made in heaven until her passing in 2005. During their years together, Bud and Bunny lived in Hawaii, as well as India and South America. It was their time abroad that reinforced Bud's love of people and his belief that "if we'd just look one another in the eye and smile, we'd be a lot better off. We're all one people, and if we worked together, we could make our world a tremendous place."
Bud's philosophy for living a full life was always to "look outwards, don't dwell on what you think you can or cannot do, look toward what's possible, and don't put a limit on that! Let anything be an option. If you look inward, you'll never get anywhere."
Thinking of Bud today...
Buddy was a spit-fire. We met over the phone - we were calling from a local theatre company doing our annual outreach. We were, all of us in the phone room, instantly smitten. Such charm: he told us stories, spoke fluent Spanish, and expressed so freely how much he loved his wife. A few weeks later, when he was attending a show at the theatre, the whole team came out to meet him. He was affable, charming, and totally endearing. A couple of us carried on a pen-pal relationship with him thereafter, whereby we were treated to even more of his rich heart and history. He was even kind enough to send us a copy of the cookbook he'd lovingly complied in tribute to his wife. He made an impression. We are so grateful to have known him, to have shared in his light. We wish all the best to his dear ones.
have been meaning to post for awhile... thought it appropriate on the Dia de Muertos, the day to remember those who (in his words) graduated before us.
This photo is from his 90th Birthday Party.
Feel blessed too have known such a kind soul!!
one of many bouquets...when he moved from his house I asked him if I could have a plant from his garden... I know think of him every year when our beautiful pink rose bush blooms. I'd send him a photo of the first "Bud" each year, a couple times had the privilege of bringing it to him.
Bud would frequent the pasty shop I worked at in Bellevue, he soon became a favorite customer for all of us. He would bring in beautiful flowers from his garden for everyone to enjoy!!!
Bud, always a bright spirit
Bud and Bunny, love eternal
Bud (far left) with crew and plane used to perform aeromagnetic surveys. Bud was the electrical engineer in charge of running the survey equipment on the plane.
Bud and Annette's Wedding - A Match Made in Heaven
This was us celebrating his 90th Birthday at the McKay's. Everybody had a little gift & he was of course quite emotional.
Great memory
Surrounded by friends & neighbours at his Favourite restaurant - The Big Fish in Kirkland.
Bud I know you're watching so my spelling is right!
Yours aye
Tom & Sheila
I only knew Bud the last few years of his life, but he made a lasting impression on mine. He was such a good person! I will miss my visits with him but know that he is reunited with his loving wife after ten years of being apart.
Bud was my mentor and surrogate father. For most of my adult life he and Annette ("Bunny") were the most influential figures in my life and the lives of my wife and two daughters. As a mentor he encouraged me through my career as an engineer, then entrepreneur, and finally as a lawyer, always willing to listen and share his thoughts. As a father, he taught me, by example, how to be a devoted husband - his love for Annette is eternal, and never a day went by after her passing that he did not look forward to their eventual reunion. He and Annette taught me, by example, how to not only overcome adversity, but to ignore it and rejoice in the gift of life. He and Annette taught me, by example, not to judge others, for who are we to do so? Rather we need to find and encourage the good in others. Embrace and value friends, old and new. Love and compassion may not solve all the world's ills, but it sure is a good first step. He taught me to never stop learning. Pursue your passions. Those were some of his lessons, all taught by example. I love you Bud, and will deeply miss you and Bunny. You and Annette will live forever in my heart, and I will strive to live up to the lessons you taught me, by example.
We met Bud after he attended one of Alan's classes at Bellevue College several years ago. As Alan was from Hawaii they had a lot of memories to share. We saw Bud many times over the years since. He was caring and upbeat and so full of life! (His Bunny was always near him. We should all experience such love!) His cookbook tribute to Bunny exhibiting their life together we cherish dearly and won't forget his sweet friendship. -- Carolyn and Alan Yabui
My Uncle & Aunt were always there when you needed them. they were the most upbeat and spiritual people I know.
as a child the huge yard, and all the garden areas, snow, and sledding at their house. I only know "Bud "as Uncle Bud and he was and will always be attached to my Aunt Bunny as one part of an idea of love and strength in my mind.
Missed is an understatement.
Long happy travels Uncle Bud. I love you and will always keep you in my heart and my mind.
Give Aunt Bunny a big hug for me.
Emile Raymond Bilodeau
Service
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