Ronald Perry Bridges

Ronald Perry “Bud” Bridges passed away peacefully at his home on November 22, 2022.  He was born April 17, 1927 in Corning, Arkansas, the third child of Thomas Grover Bridges and Lily Pearl Hosey Bridges.  He is predeceased by his wife of 73 years, Betty Jane, his parents, his brother Thomas Grover Bridges, Jr., and sister Peggy Jean Bridges.

He joined the Navy when he was 17 and served as seaman first class during WW II.  He married Betty Jane Drilling on December 4, 1948, and while completing his degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Arkansas, they had their first child, Janet Claire.   The family soon moved to Centralia, Missouri, where he took a job as design engineer at the A. B. Chance Company.  Their second child, Thomas Allen was born May 23, 1952 in nearby Mexico, Missouri.

In 1959 he took a job with the Kearney Corporation near Chicago, and the family moved to Downers Grove, Illinois.  In 1962 he made the bold move to start his own business selling high voltage switchgear.  He designed and patented many successful products.  The company grew, and by 1981 had outgrown its rental space, so he decided to build a factory in Heber Springs, Arkansas.  He was always very good to his employees, took the time to get to know each one personally, and some followed him to Arkansas.  He was as proud of his relationships with his employees, as he was of his products, and when the business was sold to Siemens AG, his wish was that all employees would keep their jobs.

Bud loved his family above all else.  He loved working on new products in his shop.  He loved animals, the beach, jogging, yachting, and flying.  He played chess, attended the symphony, and was well-read. He often quoted Dickens and Winston Churchill.  He had an inquisitive mind, and a passion for life.  It was indeed a full life, well lived.

Survivors are his daughter Jan Porterfield, son-in-law Steve Porterfield, son Allen Bridges and daughter-in-law, Vicki Bridges, 2 grandchildren Tom Bridges (Diane), and Sydney Richards (Ryan) and 4 great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be at Corning Cemetery under the direction of Ermert Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Heber Springs Humane Society, P.O. Box 401, Heber Springs, AR 72543, or a charity of your choice.