| ROCKWELL,
Dudley Willis "Dud"
Dudley
Willis "Dud " Rockwell, 93 years
old, died Sunday ( October 1, 2006) peacefully
at his home in Cushing, ME surrounded by the
people he loved. Dud was born June 20, 1913 in
New Britain, son of Ruth Gowdy Rockwell and
Stanley Pickett Rockwell. His father invented
the Rockwell Hardness Tester, used throughout
the world as the standard for testing the
hardness of metals. His father was the
recipient of the Albert Sauveur Medal. Dudley
attended the Kingswood School, West Hartford,
Milford Preparatory School, Milford and was
graduated from Yale University Sheffield
Scientific School in 1935 with a Bachelor of
Science degree. While at Yale, he was a member
of St Elmo. In 1959, Dud was elected President
of the Stanley P. Rockwell Co., Hartford a
position he held until retiring in 1974. He
was the Chairman of the Hartford Chapter of
the American Society of Metals from 1963-64.
Dudley also served as the National President
of the Metal Treaters Institute from 1967-68.
During his career as a metallurgist, he served
on the ASM National Committee, was a popular
lecturer and authored numerous articles on
heat-treating. Dudley also held membership in
the American Society of Tool Engineers,
American Ordnance Association and was on the
National Roster of Scientific and Specialized
Personnel. He was a charter member of the
Peabody Museum Maritime Association, a member
of the Wyllis Lodge, AF&M and Sphinx
Temple and a lifetime member of the Farnsworth
Museum. Upon retirement to Cushing, ME, Dudley
began a second career as a volunteer
dispatcher for the Cushing Fire Department,
trainer in first aid, two term President of
the Cushing Historical Society and a docent
for the Farnsworth Museum, Rockland, ME.
Dudley's life was full of energy, curiosity
and a genuine caring for other people. He
became something of a celebrity and local icon
over the past 11 years by giving interesting,
personalized presentations to thousands of
visitors to the nearby Olson House. For his
many years of service to the community,
whether as Chairman of the Red Cross Disaster
Committee, or helping raise funds and build
the new Cushing firehouse in 1978. Dud was
honored in 2003 by TV Channel 6 as one of the
station's annual "6 Who Care"
recipients. Dudley's personal life was
enriched by many family activities from
boating trips in Muscongus Bay, weekend ski
trips when everyone was younger and a summer
long family camping trip to Alaska in 1955.
His search for adventure took him through many
different experiences such as outboard racing
in the 1930's, extensive travel in Europe, the
South Pacific and a cross country flight in a
two seat airplane. His exceptional carpentry
and fine woodworking skills produced many
heirlooms for the family. Dud enjoyed playing
the bass fiddle in various Dixieland bands and
often enjoyed jam sessions at the Samoset
Resort. A great communicator and storyteller,
a tireless worker with high standards and a
terrific sense of humor, Dudley was a marvel
to all who knew him. His spirit and generosity
reached far beyond the place he called home.
Truly a man for all seasons, Dud will be
missed by all those he touched during his long
and wonderful life. Dudley is survived by his
wife of almost 70 years Louise James Rockwell;
his sister, Marianna Rockwell of Thomaston,
ME; a son David, his wife Bonnie of Suffield
and their children; Jennifer, Geoff, Jed and
Hillary; daughters, Betsy Bartholomew, her
husband Mark of Seward, AK, her children: John
and Jim, Merle Rockwell, her husband Ed Modell
of Silver Spring, MD, her children: Andy,
Stephanie and Matt and Joan Rockwell, her
partner Bill Austin of Colrain, MA and her
children: Pia and Nick and 12 great grand
children. In lieu of flowers a donation may be
made in the name of Dudley W. Rockwell to the
Cushing Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 20 Cushing,
Maine 04563. A celebration of Dud's life will
be held at the Olson House, Cushing, TODAY at
1 p.m. Arrangements are entrusted to Hall
& Bibber Funeral Home, 78 Main St.,
Thomaston, ME. |
| Published in the Hartford on
10/4/06 |
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