Joseph B. BIDWELL

BIDWELL, Joseph B. Passed away on July 3, 2017 at the Forum at Tucson, age 97. He was born June 7, 1920 in Muskegon, Michigan, the son of Lillian (Lang) and Joseph B. Bidwell, Sr. Joe attended Lane Tech H.S. in Chicago, graduating at the top of his class in 1938. He pursued a study of mechanical engineering on scholarship at Brown University. A summer internship at General Motors Research (GMR) led to a 37 year career in automotive engineering. This was interrupted by civilian and military service at the Naval Research Lab in Philadelphia, July 1944. Joe returned to GMR in 1946. In the next 35 years he worked on many innovative projects. Following a one year assignment as Special Asst. to the GM President, Joe became Executive Director of GMR in 1973 until retiring in May 1981. Joe had many interests including shooting, photography, flying, wine making, gardening, and travel. He raised three children and married Catherine "Kay" in 1961. Kay predeceased him on April 2, 2014 at age 89. Joe and Kay moved to Arizona in 1981 and enjoyed many more years traveling, shooting, and participating in community organizations. Surviving are two daughters, Sandra K. Bidwell and Roberta J. Bidwell (Saginaw, MI); a son, Joseph B. Bidwell III (Erin); three grandchildren, Ginger Bidwell (David Dudley), Julia Bidwell, Devin T. Langham and two great-grandchildren. The family invites friends to join them for Visiting at 2:00 p.m., and sharing memories at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at the Double Tree Hotel Reid Park, Tucson. Memorial gifts may be made to the Nature Conservancy, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, or charity of your choice. Messages may be sent to: rjbdevin@hotmail.com