1944
Ted
2014
Ted Hetu
January 29, 1944 — October 20, 2014
Ted was born to Evelyn A. and Francis T. Hetu on January 29, 1944. Ted left us on October 20, 2014.
Ted graduated from Beaverton High School in 1962 and went on to obtain a BA from Willamette University and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in a combined 5 year program.
Following his undergraduate programs, he was employed by the Department of the Navy in San Diego as an electronics engineer. Following that he Joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a commissioned officer and traveled the world as a Lieutenant on a US Oceanographic ship.
After his uniformed service he joined NOAA as a civilian, working as an electronics engineer in Washington DC. During this time he obtained further advanced degrees earning his MS in Electrical Engineering from The George Washington University and an MBA from Northwestern University. Throughout this he never lost his love of the sea, however, and continued to spend much of his hobby time on and around boats and the water.
Ted resigned from government service in 1987 to relocate back to Portland, where he continued his career in electrical engineering and the development of scientific instrumentation in the private sector until his retirement. His priority of family and desire to be near to, and care for, his recently widowed mother were instrumental in his relocation back to the west coast.
After his mother passed away he turned much of his attention to his brother's family. He would spend many hours discussing new developments in science and engineering with his nephews. He was quick to offer his time and expertise for any handyman issues that would arise. Ted was even thoughtful when it came to their family dog, often walking into the house with dog biscuits filling his pockets. Ted could always be counted on to do whatever was required or whatever was asked of him for family.
Ted enjoyed learning new things. He would spend hours catching up on the day's current events and would scour the newspapers for articles he found interesting. He would often bring those articles over to discuss with the rest of the family; he loved to chat about current events.
Making things with his hands was a passion of Ted's, and the items he worked hardest on were those he made for others. He would plan meticulously, often restarting the project again and again before it met his exacting standards. And even though a Christmas gift he made often wasn't ready until the following July, what was eventually received was always perfect.
He strongly believed in creating positive opportunities at an early age to forego immediate gratification and instill the longer term values of saving and investing. He was a living example to promote and demonstrate responsible thrift and frugality in every-day living and not to get caught up in material possessions. He helped us keep our priorities straight and our eye on what was truly important.
While he was frugal in his own habits: driving the same car forever and wearing his clothing until it seemed to almost fall apart - all despite teasing from the family, Ted was always generous with others. Whether that be providing transportation to a long list of seniors who desired to attend their church services but had no way to get there, or simply being available to change a light bulb for an elderly neighbor. He believed strongly in giving back to his family and community, an attitude he maintained even after becoming ill.
It is because of his dedication to his family and his community that one can still feel Ted's influence. The world was, and is, a better place because Ted Hetu was in it.
Ted is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Tad & Barbara Hetu; his nephews Alexander and Ian Hetu along with Ian's wife Lauren, his grand-niece Aria Hetu, and his favorite dog Obi.
In lieu of flowers or other material items, please consider donating in memory of Ted to any of the following charities:
American Cancer Society
American Brain Tumor Association
Oregon Humane Society
The immediate family will be holding a private service and celebration of his life.
Ted graduated from Beaverton High School in 1962 and went on to obtain a BA from Willamette University and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in a combined 5 year program.
Following his undergraduate programs, he was employed by the Department of the Navy in San Diego as an electronics engineer. Following that he Joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a commissioned officer and traveled the world as a Lieutenant on a US Oceanographic ship.
After his uniformed service he joined NOAA as a civilian, working as an electronics engineer in Washington DC. During this time he obtained further advanced degrees earning his MS in Electrical Engineering from The George Washington University and an MBA from Northwestern University. Throughout this he never lost his love of the sea, however, and continued to spend much of his hobby time on and around boats and the water.
Ted resigned from government service in 1987 to relocate back to Portland, where he continued his career in electrical engineering and the development of scientific instrumentation in the private sector until his retirement. His priority of family and desire to be near to, and care for, his recently widowed mother were instrumental in his relocation back to the west coast.
After his mother passed away he turned much of his attention to his brother's family. He would spend many hours discussing new developments in science and engineering with his nephews. He was quick to offer his time and expertise for any handyman issues that would arise. Ted was even thoughtful when it came to their family dog, often walking into the house with dog biscuits filling his pockets. Ted could always be counted on to do whatever was required or whatever was asked of him for family.
Ted enjoyed learning new things. He would spend hours catching up on the day's current events and would scour the newspapers for articles he found interesting. He would often bring those articles over to discuss with the rest of the family; he loved to chat about current events.
Making things with his hands was a passion of Ted's, and the items he worked hardest on were those he made for others. He would plan meticulously, often restarting the project again and again before it met his exacting standards. And even though a Christmas gift he made often wasn't ready until the following July, what was eventually received was always perfect.
He strongly believed in creating positive opportunities at an early age to forego immediate gratification and instill the longer term values of saving and investing. He was a living example to promote and demonstrate responsible thrift and frugality in every-day living and not to get caught up in material possessions. He helped us keep our priorities straight and our eye on what was truly important.
While he was frugal in his own habits: driving the same car forever and wearing his clothing until it seemed to almost fall apart - all despite teasing from the family, Ted was always generous with others. Whether that be providing transportation to a long list of seniors who desired to attend their church services but had no way to get there, or simply being available to change a light bulb for an elderly neighbor. He believed strongly in giving back to his family and community, an attitude he maintained even after becoming ill.
It is because of his dedication to his family and his community that one can still feel Ted's influence. The world was, and is, a better place because Ted Hetu was in it.
Ted is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Tad & Barbara Hetu; his nephews Alexander and Ian Hetu along with Ian's wife Lauren, his grand-niece Aria Hetu, and his favorite dog Obi.
In lieu of flowers or other material items, please consider donating in memory of Ted to any of the following charities:
American Cancer Society
American Brain Tumor Association
Oregon Humane Society
The immediate family will be holding a private service and celebration of his life.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ted Hetu, please visit our flower store.
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