Raul H. Bustamante

Bustamante, Raul H.
born 12/01/1946 passed over on 11/30/2008 after fighting a 3 ½ year battle against esophageal cancer with determination, dignity and quiet grace. A 3rd generation Phoenician, Raul was the eldest of 6 children born to Raul and Georgia Bustamante. A 1964 graduate of Phoenix Union High School, Raul then obtained his bachelor's degree from ASU before entering the United States Marine Corps. He attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida and became a CH53 "Jolly Green" helicopter pilot. Upon completing a year's tour in Vietnam (1971-1972) where he was the recipient of a Bronze Star Device for 1st Air Medal and 27 Air/Strike and Navy Achievement Awards with Combat V, Raul finished his military career at the Yuma Air Station as a search & rescue pilot. He spent the next 29 years at Honeywell (formerly Air Research and Garrett) where he was a manager and recognized authority on government military contracts. Before retiring in 2001 he was the Manager of Aerospace Intellectual property. He was Chapter President of the National Estimating Society and Chapter President of Society of Cost Estimating and Analysis. He was also on the National Board of Directors for SCEA (1991). Even though Raul was a conscientious and dedicated employee, it should not be forgotten that at heart he was an entrepreneur. He opened a restaurant, obtained his real estate license and owned an insurance agency. After a few years of retirement he returned to the aviation industry at Standard Aero. Raul was the proud father of Matthew and Melissa with his first wife and friend Sheryl Lynn. He completed his family when he married Marion in 1980 and welcomed her daughter Renee as his own. He was the much beloved PoPo to Marissa, Nicholas and Jessica. Raul is survived by his parents Raul & Georgia and his wife Marion. He is also survived by his children Renee N. Lara (James), son Matthew and daughter Melissa Kremp (Bud), sister Francis Villalobos (Henry), sister Lydia Mohr (Paul), brother James Bustamante (Sharon), sister Rose Jeffery (Phil) and brother Greg. He is also survived by too many nephews, nieces, and cousins to name. Raul's joys in life were his family, his friends, travel and an intense love for the game of golf. A great thrill for him was playing the old course at St. Andrews, Scotland as well as courses in Wales, England, Portugal, and many courses around the U.S. He greatly enjoyed his visits to England where he was loved and appreciated by his wife's family and the many friends he made while there. Raul will be remembered as a man of great integrity, a man who was constantly excited by the next "great idea" and above all a man who valued the ideals of the Marine Corps and the love of his family and many friends. Services will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 909 E. Washington St., on Monday, December 8th. Rosary will be at 10:00 A.M. with Visitation starting at 10:30 A.M. and Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers the family is suggesting donations to be made to Hospice of the Valley. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phx.