Hugh Patick Craig

Hugh Patrick Craig passed away on July 14, 2025.  He was born on December 14, 1937.

Hugh graduated from Butte Central High School in 1956 and went on to study chemical engineering at Gonzaga University. Life was not all study; he enjoyed his student years and formed lifelong friendships. He became an ardent ‘Zag’ fan and a regular attendee at their annual tournament and the ‘Butte Rats’ Dinner. 

In his early career, Hugh worked for Raychem Corporation, The Boeing Company, and others as a materials engineer. Later, he became a serial entrepreneur, founding and managing several businesses applying his extensive chemical and materials knowledge. 

In 1980, he embarked on what he called a ‘semi-retirement’ world trip and had many stories to tell as a result! 

When he returned to the US, he founded Summit Valley Technology in California and developed a new process for making conductive inks, which he patented. He also partnered with Multicore to improve the manufacturing techniques for printed circuit boards. When Loctite Corporation acquired Multicore, the technology was returned to Hugh. He then established Polymeric Interconnect to commercialize the products. He also consulted with Dow Corning Corporation after they acquired his intellectual property related to electronic packaging. 

In 2001, he spent some time in Wales, UK, and became friendly with his neighbors Tony and Ann Hemingway. Tony died of a heart attack in the spring of 2002 and when Hugh returned to the UK some 12 months later, he took Ann to dinner. As the saying goes – ‘one thing led to another’ and eventually they decided to marry in 2014. They had many happy years together. 

Sp2nano LLC was created in 2005 initially to develop stronger body armor. It was disappointing to him that the NIJ did not allow this product to go into production. The ever inventive Hugh turned his attention to several other possibilities, culminating in a determination to develop a better building material. Sadly, he was not able to take this work to a conclusion, but there is hope that others will. 

He is survived by his wife Ann, two siblings – Katie and Mike and several nieces, nephews and their children. He was a wise, thoughtful and loving man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

Hugh’s ashes will be interred at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Butte on August 21, 2025 at 11:00 am, followed by a reception for friends and family in the Copper Bowl at the Finlen Hotel.