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Nathaniel HURD Obituary
A resident of Smithfield, Va., Nat is survived by his loving wife, Frances Rigby Hurd; brother, David Hurd; sister, Janie Hurd Akers; his son, Jeffrey Steven Hurd; daughter-in-law, Denise Steele Hurd; and three grandchildren, Jackson Luke Hurd, Johnathan Cole Hurd and Bailey Grace Hurd.
Nat was born July 10, 1942, in Pulaski, Va., where he grew up the oldest son of Lawna Hurd and Nathaniel "Ape-Eye" Hurd Jr. Nat is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He was a dedicated engineer and Master Shipbuilder for Newport News Shipbuilding/Northrop Grumman for 41 years. His work ethic, passion for shipbuilding and relentless pursuit of perfection is unparalleled. In the submarine design and engineering community, Nat was deeply respected, having mentored dozens of young engineers and designers over the years, many of whom are leaders in the industry today. Nat conducted his personal life with the same vigor and dedication to detail as he did his professional life. As a retiree, he continued to stay busy always working on projects with his wife and love of his life, Fran. His seriousness, attention to detail, and perfectionist traits are only surpassed by the size of his heart, compassion he had for others and incredible sense of humor and wit. Anyone that really knew Nat Hurd knew that he would give the shirt off his back to help someone and if an emergency or problem arose he was the first to drop what he was doing and help. Nat was a lover of not only his profession, but of music, the arts, the ocean, boating and simply fixing things. His life was one of substance. His legacy lives on in the vessels he helped build and the many lives he touched and influenced.
Family and friends will celebrate a memorial of Nat's life on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at Peninsula Funeral Home in Newport News. The memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. with family visitation to follow immediately afterwards until 5 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to making the most of every moment that you have with your family and loved ones. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nathaniel HURD
Rich & Lori White
December 20, 2009
Fran,
We are so, so very sorry to hear of Nat's passing. We only just found out. We will always remember Nat as a giving, kind and gentle person and neighbor. And, we'll always remember how he was always there to lend a hand to his neighbors and how much he enjoyed living on the river. Please know you and the family are in our hearts and prayers.
Adam Gicz
December 15, 2009
Fran,
I was so sorry to hear about Nat. I just found out today. Your words said it all about Nat. He was a great multi talented engineer whose advice was respected at the highest levels. He was also a very gentle, kind and loyal person...that engineer from Pulaski.
Richard&Nancy Brooks
December 15, 2009
Fran,
We are so sorry to read of Nat's passing upon our return to town after a two week absence. We regret we missed the services. Please know you and the family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Beth Brindle
December 14, 2009
Fran, I am so very sorry to hear about Nat's passing. He was a smart, hard working, wonderful man who held the respect of all who met him. I still have the stained glass piece you both made for Jason and I proudly displayed on our mantel. I will never forget him. I am praying for you and your family during this very difficult time.
December 13, 2009
Janie,
John and I are so very sorry for your loss. May you find peace and comfort in the memories you have of your brother. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Connie and John
Jane Wharton
December 13, 2009
Janie, David, Fran, and Family, I know at times like this words can never replace the loss of a loved one, but keep his memories close to your heart.
You can always find comfot in knowing that he did the best for his Mother that he could.
Love and with Sympthy,
Jane
Esther Cirasunda
December 12, 2009
Janie and all--My prayers are with you during this difficult time. Your friend and classmate, Esther Bond Cirasunda
Anita Bethea
December 12, 2009
Fran,
You are in my prayers during this difficult time. May god bless you and keep you always. Your friend from E18
Michael Pruitt
December 12, 2009
I was very sorry to hear of cousin Nat's passing.I always loved visiting his mother,great-aunt Lawna,in Pulaski each year and was just in Dublin this past weekend to visit family and the grave sights. Condolences to the family...cousin Mike Pruitt.
Delton Grey
December 11, 2009
Frances, David and Janie, please accept my deepest sympathy. The memories Nat gave me are sweet and still vivid. We carried The Southwest Times together. We played basketball together, everywhere and everytime we could. I can still see #21 scoring the very first two points for PHS under Carl Tacy in 1959. His vertical leap was an astounding three inches on that wonderfully excuted tip-off play and lay-up. We worked at his Dad's ESSO station together. We had detailed discusions about all phases of life. He and David and all of his family were like my second family as I grew up in Pulaski. It was a pleasure to see him again at the big PHS reunion, to meet Frances, and to talk again about life. He was a good person to have as your friend.
December 11, 2009
Barbara and I were sorry to hear of Nat's passing. I will always remember the wonderful trips with my parents to Pulaski in the late 40's to visit Aunt Lawna and Uncle 'Ape' and visit and play with the kids.
Cousin Barry Peacock, Canal Winchester, Ohio
Barry & Alease Seay
December 11, 2009
Fran,
Alease and I were sorry to learn of Nat's passing. You were great neighbors and we truly enjoyed your company when you lived in Wythe. Nat was such a unique funloving person. We know he will be missed by all who knew him. God Bless you.
Barry & Alease Seay
Ron Keister
December 11, 2009
Nathaniel Henry Hurd III (I often called him this!) - my friend growing up. A model to live by! I am glad I will have his "soul shadows" (i.e. memories) to reflect on anytime I need uplifting! Gone but never forgotten! I can see him on the dirt basketball court at the Y now!
Betty Sue Justice
December 11, 2009
I grew up with Nat & went all the way through school with him. I got to see him & talk with him at our class reunion a couple years ago. I am just so very sorry to hear the bad news about his death. My heart goes out to his family, as I know what its like to lose a hubby. I lost mine at the ripe old age of 58, a few years back, three days before Christmas. Its hard, expecially around the Holidays. Just know that all of the family will be in my prayers. Nat is happy & at peace with God now.
Betty Sue Justice
Craig Allison
December 11, 2009
I was saddened to learn of Nat's passing. He and I were roommates at Va. Tech in the 1960's. Warren Alley of Pulaski, was also a roommate of mine. Nat was always cheerful and fun to be around. My heart goes out to the family because I know how you feel. I lost my wife of 42-years, Sue, last June. May god give you all peace.
Robert Hudson, Jr.
December 11, 2009
The lord blessed me by getting to see Nat at his mother's (Lawna) funeral. Nat was so joval and full of himself in his happy and funny moments. I had not seen Nat since we graduated from H.S.(almost 50 yrs) We all grew up together on 6th. St. in Pulaski, and I cherish the many fond memories we had there with our families. I send my love and blessed memories to Nat's family during this difficult time.
God Bless you always.
Robert A. Hudson, Jr.
Paul Cox
December 11, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with Nat' family. We were classmates together. I play baseball with him and Jolene dated him while in school. We are very sorry to hear about his death. Again, God bless you and may He give you an extra measure of grace at this time...Paul (Porky) and Jolene Boyd Cox
December 11, 2009
Dear Nat Hurd Family, I am so sorry about your loss of a true friend and gentleman. Nat was a special friend that I will always remember as we grew up in Pulaski, Va. Gene Stuart, Pulaski, Va.
jim east
December 11, 2009
Life was always a lot simpler when we were playing basketball in your back yard or outside at the Y, only worrying about the next shot ... David and Janie are in my thoughts and prayers, as is Nat's family ...
Peg Turner Riggle
December 11, 2009
Reading about Nat's life and the special person he became makes me recall knowing him when we were "kids" back in Pulaski. Midge Woodard and I used to play cards with Nat and David and I am remembering all the fun times we had.
May God give peace to his family during this difficult time. May they find healing in all the wonderful memories made over the years.
Donald Quesenberry
December 11, 2009
Very sorry for your loss. God bless
December 11, 2009
So sorry to hear of your loss.
I worked with your mother at NASA (in the Learning Center) and heard a lot about both of you.
I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
I think of your mother often and miss her so much.
Sarah Ziehmann Lashbrook
Bettie Dendekker
December 11, 2009
Janie, I don't know if you remember Bettie in the Library or not, but I was very sorry to read of Nat's passing in the obituaries today. Not only did I work with Nat in APD, but he was also my supervisor in the 688 class subs for a while (Clint brought Nat with him when he came over.) Although it's been several years since I last talked to Nat, I will certainly miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bettie (Starinsky) Dendekker
sean chambers
December 11, 2009
Fran, you have mine and my family's deepest condolences. "Nat and Fran" is the phrase that comes to mind whenever I think of him or you. Trips to tennis in the Cabriolet at Briarfield, and dinners at the Hampton house (with Nat's musical education sessions for teenaged Jeff and me), will forever be special, important memories. Always warm, honest, and even protective, Nat - a model for being a genuine, sensible, funny grown up - will be sorely missed by me. Hurd (Jeff), you know the deal: prayers are with you all.
December 11, 2009
Dear David,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Kay Stuart Baldwin
Patsy Stoots Gray
December 11, 2009
David, I find it so very painful to accept the death of Nat. He and you were such wonderful friends and I shall always cherish the fond memories we shared. Nat not only was an outstanding teenager, but a wonderful example of a great man. My condolences to you and the family.
Fred Morefield
December 11, 2009
Nat and I grew up together in Pulaski.
He was, "one of the good guys" and even though I hadn't seen him in years, he will me missed by all who knew him!
My sincere condolences to his family!
Kenny and Vickie Waller
December 11, 2009
Janie and family,
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family in your time of loss.
Daphne Longenecker
December 11, 2009
Janie and family-
I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Please know you are in my daily thoughts and prayers.
Steve Kirkner
December 11, 2009
Janie,
Cary and I express our sympathy in the passing of your brother. It sounds like I would have loved to have been able to sit down with him and chat about his life and interests. Please forward our condolences to David also. Take care, Steve & Cary
Lottie Birdsall
December 11, 2009
Lottie, Grigg, Joyce and the entire Birdsall Family wish to offer our sincere condolences at the loss of your beloved Nat.. You have been both our friends and neighbors for so long and we will miss him dearly. Fran, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and we are always here for you...
Pam Peacock
December 11, 2009
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your lost. I remember visiting my cousin Nat along with his brother David & sister Janie in Pulaski when I was a child every summer. His dry humor kept us all laughing. As an adult, I loved visiting Nat & Fran at their home with Janie & enjoying the boat rides & many laughs.His love of music surpassed everyone and always impressed me. He will be missed. Bless you all in this time of sorrow.
Jerry Lester
December 11, 2009
This makes me very sad. Nat and I were very close when we were working together in the 60's and 70's. We played tennis, drank beer, and shared our personal lives. We drifted apart, but I will always regard him as a very special friend.
Lisa Chalkley
December 11, 2009
Our deepest sympathy and prayers to you...
O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home
December 11, 2009
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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