Saturday, November 29, 2008

Remembering the Gary Plant

I found the Budd Blog very nostalgic. I started with the company at Budd Gary in 1971. Mr first Plant Manager was H.K. Hockenbery, one of the finest plant managers that I have had the privilege to serve. He was succeeded by a very dynamic, demanding and exemplary leader, Robert A Bitting who also happened to be Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Naval Reserve, MI. He set an example that any Annapolis graduate would be proud of and I was very fortunate to serve him as well. I am Lucius Woodson and was known as Buddy Woodson. When we closed our plant in 1982, some of my colleagues went to Detroit and some went to Philly. I chose to remain and find work in and around Gary, Indiana.

Perhaps you know some of them: R. A. Bitting, Don Bormes, Steve Gallegos, L. C. Williams, Kellemburger, John Kaminski, Al Jackson, Dave Wimmer, John Seebrook, Adam Sierkowski, Rodriquez, and many others. I lost track of everyone but I know that they are OK because they have had the Budd Experience and will do well anywhere.

Yours truly,

Buddy Woodson #11716

Blogger's Note: After the Gary Plant closed, many of the executives came to the Corporate Offices in Troy. Among them were: Jim Wahlman and Dave Verbeke, both in Human Resources. H.K. (Ken) Hockenberry also made the transition. Ken passed away in 2006at the age of 91.

Budd Rochester Knows How to Party!!

Hello Everybody:

Just thought I better post the date of this year's party.

The party will be on friday dec.5. Party time will be from 5'oclockto whenever. The party will be at Dublins Pub located on ten mile rd.two blocks west of I- 94 expressway. Iwill be there from
4 o`clock on

Hope to see you there.

Norm Fournier Sr.