Bud was born to Louis and Helen Heitman on June 23, 1929 in Dickinson, North Dakota. In July of 1930, the family, including his sister, Helen Heitman, moved to Sedro-Woolley. They lived in a tent, camping along the highway. This was in the heart of the Depression years. Bud spent the rest of his life living in Sedro-Woolley.
After graduating in 1948 from Sedro-Woolley High School, Bud went to work in the woods. On August 6th of that year, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy (Parks) Heitman and they made their home in Sedro-Woolley. In May of 1950, Bud went to work in the Motor Pool at Northern State Hospital. He had a great time working his way up to Motor Pool Manager. He always said he had the best crew a man could possibly have.
In 1960, Mayor Gene Kriskov asked Bud to take a part-time commission on the Sedro-Woolley Police Department. He worked in that position until 1970 when he went to full-time officer under the Chief of Police, Jim Williams. Bud held several different positions and was appointed “Deputy Chief” by Chief Ron John.
Bud retired in 1991. He and Dot spent much of their time in Eastern Washington fishing. They also took trips to Wyoming, to his nephews, Derold “Buzz” Carpenter, hunting for deer and antelope. Bud and Dot continued to enjoy camping life, until Dot’s untimely death in 1999.
During his years working at the Sedro-Woolley Police Department, he had the privilege to work under Chief Norm Lisherness, Chief Ted Jackson, Chief Jim Williams, and Chief Ron John.
Bud was an avid Steelhead fisherman. He could always be found on the Skagit River in the riverboat he built on Saturdays. He loved to take his friends fishing on the Skagit. He also loved to have fun while fishing. He would put on an afro-looking wig and run the boat up the river, sitting on the motor with a big grin on his face. He scarcely got skunked when he went out. Bud and his family also loved to go camping, fishing, digging for clams, and crabbing.
Bud was preceded in death by his mother and father, Louis and Helen Heitman; his wife, Dottie Heitman; and his sister, Helen Carpenter-Olsen.
He is survived by his daughter, Debra Louden and her husband, Steve Louden; his grandson, Justin C. Heitman; granddaughter, Alyssa Sue Juliette Louden; and life-long friend, Delores Chase.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bud’s name can be made to the SWHS Alumni Scholarship Fund or the Sedro-Woolley Police Department Benevolent Fund.
A celebration of Bud’s life will be held at North Cascades Christian Fellowship Church, 118 N. Ball St., Sedro-Woolley, WA on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Steve Fish officiating. Arrangements and Services are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.