Robert Blaine Clay

Dr. Robert B. (Bud) Clay Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired) 1918-2007 Robert B. Clay, 89, passed away peacefully December 21, 2007 in Bountiful, Utah. He was born June 29, 1918 in Willard, Utah to Wallace and Bertha Gordon Clay. He was married to Mildred West on May 28, 1948. She passed away January 3, 2002.

Bud was a man of many talents and achievements.

He was a military man. He served in the USAF during WWII as a B17 pilot. On his 17th mission he led an 18-plane group, which dropped bombs on Berlin. His plane, named "Stormy Weather," was disabled by flak but he was able to crash land in Denmark (www.stormyweather.dk). He spent a year as a POW and more than 50 years later he and his crew were invited to Denmark to be honored by a grateful country.

He was a family man. After WWII, while attending the U of U he met and married Mildred West. Together they adopted and reared 6 children.

He was man of learning. The GI bill gave him the opportunity to earn degrees in the physical sciences up to and including a PhD. He taught physics for several years in California at Fresno State University and Santa Ana College before retiring to the U of U explosives research group.

He was an inventor. Since 1960 he authored or co-authored over 30 patents dealing mainly with mining explosive formulations and delivery. During the 1960''s he was the research director for Ireco Chemicals, a Utah mining explosives company, which revolutionized the mining explosive industry around the world.

He was a Christian. His father was a fruit farmer in South Willard, Utah, whose family did not belong to any religious group, but lived a Christian life. He claimed to be an agnostic but after living with Mildred for 10 years and becoming the father of 6 children who needed moral guidance, he agreed to baptism in the LDS church.

He was a survivor. He was born a blue baby with the umbilical cord around his neck. He survived a year as a German POW. He survived colon and liver cancer, a broken hip, and crushed vertebrae. He was often referred to as the "Walking Miracle" at the VA Hospital.

He was a man of humor. He could instantly see the humor in nearly all discussion or situations. He enjoyed sharing his humor with others.

Bud is survived by his six children: John (Glenda) Clay, Carol (Charlie) Culver, Ann Clay Badii, Tom (Cherrie) Clay, Colleen (Peter) Sugarman, and Karen (Doug) Cooley; 15 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren; sisters Marion Jeppson, Bonnie Hansen, Dixie West, and brother Doug Clay. He is preceded in death by his wife Mildred; grandson Nicholas Clay; son-in-law Barney Evans; both parents; brother Wallace ("Tom") Clay; sisters Virginia Gore and Adair Housley.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the many nurses and doctors at the VA Hospital that kept dad going for so long. Special thanks to Lorena Darnell who was, according to Bud, his ''savior'', and Gwen Mitchell, who helped make Dad''s final days comfortable. Lastly, we wish to thank our dad for the great example and unconditional love that he showed us at all times.

Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday December 29, 2007 at the Orchard First Ward Chapel, 3707 S. 800 W., Bountiful, Utah. Friends may call Friday December 28 from 6-8pm at Lindquist''s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. and Saturday 9:45-10:45am at the church prior to the services. Interment, Aultorest Cemetery, Ogden. Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com