Clarence "Bud" Edward Habermann Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

TRAVERSE CITY - Clarence Edward “Bud” Habermann, 84, of Traverse City, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2016, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was surrounded by his loving family when he passed. Bud was born November 16, 1931, in Cutler, Illinois, the oldest son of Albert and Lilllie (Liefer) Habermann. Bud moved at a young age and spent his formative years in Steeleville, Illinois. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University in 1953 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Physical Chemistry from Iowa State University in 1963. He met his wife, Marlene Messerli, while at Southern Illinois University and was married on December 27, 1952. During graduate school, his studies were interrupted by 2 years at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. After completing graduate school, Bud and Marlene moved to Midland, Michigan where he worked as a research scientist at Dow Chemical for 27 years. During his time at Dow, he was awarded 19 patents, many which are still important to Dow’s business today. He was also awarded Dow’s “Inventor of the Year Award” twice and “Scientist of the Year Award” in the late 1980s. While in Midland, he was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was Chairman of the Congregation, served on many committees, and helped lead the affiliated Boy Scouts chapter. After retiring from Dow in 1990, he and Marlene moved to Traverse City. Here he was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Advent Lutheran Church, taking on organizational and leadership roles in both congregations. He also engaged his love of water sports, snow sports and golf. Bud and Marlene also traveled extensively, including trips to Europe, the Orient, the Caribbean, Africa, Australia, and numerous visits to Hawaii. Bud is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marlene; his three children, David Habermann of Traverse City, Eric Habermann of Washington D.C. and Steve Habermann of Groton, Massachusetts; one sister, Helen Simpkins of Springfield, Illinois; and 6 grandchildren, Rafael Habermann, Marc Habermann, Brennah Habermann, Riley Habermann, Kirsten Habermann, and Sydney Habermann. He was preceded in death by his parents. A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016 at11 a.m.,at Advent Lutheran Church, Lake Ann, Michigan. Visitation will be held one hour prior at 10 a.m., Pastor Chrysanne Timm will officiate. A luncheon will be served following the service. Memorials may be directed to Advent Lutheran Church, 8481 Lake Ann Rd. Lake Ann, MI 49650; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1050 Peninsula Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686; or Trinity Lutheran Church, 3701 Jefferson Ave., Midland, MI 48640. The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Clarence "Bud" Edward Habermann

November 16, 1931 - January 21, 2016