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Harry Reuben "Bud" Heslet

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Harry Heslet Obituary

Harry Reuben "Bud" HESLET February 27, 1920 ~ April 21, 2012 Born in Topeka, Kansas on February 27th, 1920, Harry "Bud" Heslet was the second of five children born to Reuben and Elsie Heslet. He attended Seaman High School in Topeka where he played football, basketball and baseball. In 1938 he was signed by the New York Yankees while still a junior in high school. After graduating high school in 1939, he started a fourteen-year professional baseball career in 1940. Like so many players of his day, his baseball career was voluntarily interrupted for three years when he enlisted in the Navy to serve in World War II. Heslet would lead the league in home runs in six of those fourteen years, culminating with his last and most prolific year in 1956 with the Visalia Cubs of the California League. He was one of the first five players to be inducted into the Visalia, California League, Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011 along with the likes of Kirby Puckett and Vada Pinson. His performance in 1956 is best described in the words on his Hall of Fame monumentit states: In 1956, "Harry "Bud" Heslet posted the greatest offensive season in California League history with Visalia, setting league records with 51 Home Runs and 172 Runs Batted In. He also batted .334. His records have not been not been challenged since." The fact that Heslet retired from baseball after that incredible season was the subject of a feature article published by MLB.com in May of 2008. When asked by the writer why he "simply retired and walked away from the game never to look back," Heslet replied, "The main reason was I had a boy and I wanted to get him settled. The only way to do that was to give up baseball, stay home and be a dad." The article went on to say, "Several teams wanted him to manage, but he turned them all down." Heslet met Lucille, his wife of 49 years; in Los Angeles while serving in the Navy in 1944they were married that same year. As a ball player's family, the Heslets had lived all over the US and Canada, so they were happy to settle down in Visalia where Bud spent nineteen years with the Fire Department. A heart condition required him to retire from being a fireman, so he became a supervisor for the Training Centers for the Handicapped where he worked until he retired for good in 1990. In 1991, the Heslets moved to Freeland, Washington on Whidbey Island to be close to their son's family that lived outside Seattle. Lucille passed away in 1993, just three months after the birth of their first grandchild, Christine. As a widower, when not visiting with family, Heslet spent his time by painting or with friends at the Bay View Senior Center and the Senior Center Fun Band. The Langley CMA Church, where he sang in the choir, was also an important part of his life. Heslet was always a big, physically imposing figure, but he was also a very gentle soul who had a contagious smile, loved to make people laugh and was well liked by everyone who knew him. He spent his last days surrounded by his family, at peace with his faith in the next life and ready, as he would say, "to meet his Maker". He went to reside in his new home in Heaven on the morning of April 21st, 2012 at the age of 92. Heslet is survived by his son Joseph, his daughter-in-law Linda and his two beloved grandchildren Christine and Michael. He is survived also by his brother Galen of Hemet, California and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family. Services are under the direction of Visser Funeral Home, Langley, WA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Apr. 29, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
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Jon

January 26, 2021

It was wonderful getting to spend time with you and my grandma Elmar over lunch or during one of your jam sessions. I especially enjoyed your stories of the Good old days :) What a Beautiful life

Pete Tutak

May 15, 2012

I just got back from a monthlong work trip to Africa to find this out. Bud and I became friends on Whidbey when he and Lu lived in Freeland, and I in Maxwelton. It was wonderful to hear his recollections of a lifetime in minor league ball so clearly and warmly recalled. (I hope the Dog House in Langley still has his picture from when he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs on the wall.)

He and Lu were wonderful, warm, and loving people. It was a privilege to know them.

Bob Bowen

May 5, 2012

My condolences to the family and thanks Bud for all the great memories of that great 1956 season in Visalia when I spent much of it at Recreation Park watching you play the game I love so much.--Bob Bowen, formerly of Tulare, CA, and now in Los Lunas, New Mexico

Phil and Esther Holguin

May 1, 2012

"Bud"
We were neighbors for many years on Houston Avenue in Visalia and wonderful neighbors you and Lou were to us. Thank you for the memories we will forever cherish in our hearts. Surely Lou is happy to have you home with her again and Heaven is lucky to have you both.

Phil & Esther Holguin

May 1, 2012

"Bud",
You and Lou were our neighbors for many years on Houston Avenue in Visalia and wonderful neighbors you were. You left behind some great memories in our hearts, thank you. Surely Lou is happy to have you home with her again. Heaven is lucky to have you both.

Edward Quijas

April 30, 2012

Joe I had not seen Bud since his move to
Washington to be close to Joe-son, I often think of Bud and wondered how he was doing. I met Bud when he worked to the sheltered workshop for the handicapped and I worked at CVRC in Visalia. Bud had a great life and was a great man and DAD! Will be missed.
Edward Quijas

April 30, 2012

Joey-
I'll always remember our visits with your Dad. He was a genuinely good man. I'm sure you and your family will miss him a bunch. Our heartfelt condolences. Dennis and Roseann Culver

April 29, 2012

Michael very much enjoyed working with Bud, at the Tulare County Training Center For The Handicapped in Visalia CA, and was delighted to be able to keep in touch through Christmas cards over the years. We join in sendng condolences to the family.
Michael and Helene Smith

Randy Ford

April 28, 2012

Sounds like a wonderful man. It also sounds like Mr. Heslet would have been in baseball circles with my uncle Larry "Lefty" Powell of the Dinuba, Reedley area. Some of the things mentioned in the obituary sound like the same things Larry did, even the interuption for military service. I am almost sure that they would have been good friends. Larry kept in touch with many of the area baseball professionals of that era. These were great men, men of the greatest generation. May God bless and comfort the family in your loss.

June Fitzpatrick

April 28, 2012

Bud, I didn't know you but have heard many good things about you, being a great voice in the Fun Band here on Whidbey where I now spend a fare amount of my time singing with the band. It's my loss I didn't know you, I guess I got here too late. Members of the group will be paying tribute to you today at the CMA Church in Langley and will be singing Amazing Grace and When the Saints Go Marching In. Wishing you save passage to the afterlife.

April 28, 2012

We send our condolences to the family. Bud was one of my favorite people. Always loving and kind. A big heart in a big man. Our love, Lori Cabello Charles and Margaret Cabello.

Visser Funeral Home

April 25, 2012

It has been an honor to serve your family during this time.

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