INDUSTRY NEWS: AOC Technology Hall of Fame Member Bud Sears Passes
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William E. "Bud" Sears III, a principal research engineer with GTRI, a member of the AOC EW Technology Hall of Fame, one of the founders of the Peacthree Roost and former lab director of ELSYS, died unexpectedly on Jan. 20. He was 67. Sears had more than 39 years of experience in radar and electronic warfare and served as director of ELSYS from 1996-1997. During his career he served as a
branch head and division chief in addition to lab director.
"We will miss Bud," said Tom McDermott, GTRI’s deputy director and director of research. "He took me under his wing when I first came to GTRI and got me started in the professional education program, as well as teaching me the details of electronic warfare techniques and threat systems."
Bob Zimmer, a former ELSYS colleague, recalled how Sears’ work on various radar problems became the foundation for his work in electronic warfare.
"In the late ‘70s he was the leader in GTRI receiving its first Electronic Warfare Techniques Assessment program, which exists even today," Zimmer said. "He was dedicated to modeling and analysis in the electronic defense area and used many of his models in analyzing the effectiveness of electronic countermeasures. He realized the importance of training our employees and made sure all knew the fundamentals of electronic warfare."
His emphasis on internal training led to the development of short courses which were given to the public, Zimmer said. He also provided consulting services to the Department of Defense Science Board in developing investment strategies for the combined utilization of laser optics and electronic warfare technologies in combat.
He was one of the founders of the Peachtree Roost of the Association of Old Crows (AOC) in 1977 and was inducted into the AOC EW Technology Hall of Fame. After retiring from GTRI in 1998, Sears continued to support GTRI through multiple sales efforts and administrative support of the Office of Organizational Development. He founded a small consulting firm, EWCA, and continued his educational activities in the fields of Radar and EW at Robins AFB and Eglin AFB.
"Bud Sears was a researcher, a teacher, an innovator, a leader, a mentor, and a friend to many of us at GTRI," said former ELSYS Lab Director Terry Tibbitts. "He was a professional in every sense of the word, and his integrity was impeccable. Having served through almost 40 years in various capacities, he was an integral part of much of the history of GTRI. He was involved in some of the most important programs in GTRI history and played no small part in the self-protection of manned aircraft throughout much of the Cold War. He will be missed by all of us who knew him and will be remembered always for what he did for us both professionally and personally."
FULL OBITUARY
William Earl (Bud) Sears, III, age 67, of Sugar Hill, GA passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2013. He was preceded in death by his son, William Earl (Wes) Sears, IV; parents, William E. (Earl) and Alma Roberts Sears; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leonard and Hassie Miller; and brother-in-law, Verlon Southerland.
He is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Beverly Miller Sears, Sugar Hill, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Emily Sears Warlick and husband, Dr. Michael D. (Dave) Warlick, Flowery Branch, GA and Susan Sears Sharp and husband, Kevin Sharp, London, England; grandchildren, Jocelyn Elena (Jocey) Sears, William E. (Will) Sears, V, Madison Warlick, Camille Warlick, Olivia Sharp and Georgia Sharp; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sue Southerland, Buford, GA, Elinor and Herbie Wilson, Buford, GA, Lynne and Tommy Davis, Dacula, GA; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bud was born in Buford, Georgia and graduated Valedictorian from Buford High School. He earned his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. Bud started working for Georgia Tech while still a student and continued for a 30-year career retiring as the Director of the Electronic Systems Laboratory at Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). He was one of the early founders of the Peachtree Roost local chapter of the Association of Old Crows. He was instrumental in the growth of Electronic Warfare at GTRI and was a member of the Association of Old Crows Technology Hall of Fame.
Bud was an active member at Suwanee United Methodist Church as current teacher of the Ken McDaniel Adult Sunday School Class and past choir director for 33 years. He lived a life of service, completing the UMC License for Pastoral Ministry School and becoming certified as a UMC Men’s Ministry Specialist. He was on the Board of Directors for Camp Wesley and was current president of the North Georgia Conference of United Methodist Men. As his children were growing up, Bud enjoyed many years of coaching basketball, softball, and baseball through the Buford area recreation league. Bud was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who gave generously of his time and talents to all who knew him. He treasured his family and lived every day to the fullest. Funeral services were held January 24.
Donations may be made to the Suwanee United Methodist Church, 603 Scales Road, Suwanee, GA 30024 in memory of William Earl (Bud) Sears, III.
To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.
"We will miss Bud," said Tom McDermott, GTRI’s deputy director and director of research. "He took me under his wing when I first came to GTRI and got me started in the professional education program, as well as teaching me the details of electronic warfare techniques and threat systems."
Bob Zimmer, a former ELSYS colleague, recalled how Sears’ work on various radar problems became the foundation for his work in electronic warfare.
"In the late ‘70s he was the leader in GTRI receiving its first Electronic Warfare Techniques Assessment program, which exists even today," Zimmer said. "He was dedicated to modeling and analysis in the electronic defense area and used many of his models in analyzing the effectiveness of electronic countermeasures. He realized the importance of training our employees and made sure all knew the fundamentals of electronic warfare."
His emphasis on internal training led to the development of short courses which were given to the public, Zimmer said. He also provided consulting services to the Department of Defense Science Board in developing investment strategies for the combined utilization of laser optics and electronic warfare technologies in combat.
He was one of the founders of the Peachtree Roost of the Association of Old Crows (AOC) in 1977 and was inducted into the AOC EW Technology Hall of Fame. After retiring from GTRI in 1998, Sears continued to support GTRI through multiple sales efforts and administrative support of the Office of Organizational Development. He founded a small consulting firm, EWCA, and continued his educational activities in the fields of Radar and EW at Robins AFB and Eglin AFB.
"Bud Sears was a researcher, a teacher, an innovator, a leader, a mentor, and a friend to many of us at GTRI," said former ELSYS Lab Director Terry Tibbitts. "He was a professional in every sense of the word, and his integrity was impeccable. Having served through almost 40 years in various capacities, he was an integral part of much of the history of GTRI. He was involved in some of the most important programs in GTRI history and played no small part in the self-protection of manned aircraft throughout much of the Cold War. He will be missed by all of us who knew him and will be remembered always for what he did for us both professionally and personally."
FULL OBITUARY
William Earl (Bud) Sears, III, age 67, of Sugar Hill, GA passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2013. He was preceded in death by his son, William Earl (Wes) Sears, IV; parents, William E. (Earl) and Alma Roberts Sears; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leonard and Hassie Miller; and brother-in-law, Verlon Southerland.
He is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Beverly Miller Sears, Sugar Hill, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Emily Sears Warlick and husband, Dr. Michael D. (Dave) Warlick, Flowery Branch, GA and Susan Sears Sharp and husband, Kevin Sharp, London, England; grandchildren, Jocelyn Elena (Jocey) Sears, William E. (Will) Sears, V, Madison Warlick, Camille Warlick, Olivia Sharp and Georgia Sharp; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sue Southerland, Buford, GA, Elinor and Herbie Wilson, Buford, GA, Lynne and Tommy Davis, Dacula, GA; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bud was born in Buford, Georgia and graduated Valedictorian from Buford High School. He earned his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. Bud started working for Georgia Tech while still a student and continued for a 30-year career retiring as the Director of the Electronic Systems Laboratory at Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). He was one of the early founders of the Peachtree Roost local chapter of the Association of Old Crows. He was instrumental in the growth of Electronic Warfare at GTRI and was a member of the Association of Old Crows Technology Hall of Fame.
Bud was an active member at Suwanee United Methodist Church as current teacher of the Ken McDaniel Adult Sunday School Class and past choir director for 33 years. He lived a life of service, completing the UMC License for Pastoral Ministry School and becoming certified as a UMC Men’s Ministry Specialist. He was on the Board of Directors for Camp Wesley and was current president of the North Georgia Conference of United Methodist Men. As his children were growing up, Bud enjoyed many years of coaching basketball, softball, and baseball through the Buford area recreation league. Bud was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who gave generously of his time and talents to all who knew him. He treasured his family and lived every day to the fullest. Funeral services were held January 24.
Donations may be made to the Suwanee United Methodist Church, 603 Scales Road, Suwanee, GA 30024 in memory of William Earl (Bud) Sears, III.
To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.
