Richard Earl "Bud” Zalesky, 87

Richard Earl "Bud” Zalesky, 87, of Hendersonville died Sunday, November 18, 2018 at Mission Hospital. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 7, 1931; a son of the late James and Alice Jennens Zalesky. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Zalesky; his first wife and the mother of his children, Mary Louise Tiernan Zalesky; as well as his sister-in-law, Sherry Zalesky.

He grew up in Miami, FL. After a tour in the US Air Force, where he spent his service teaching electronics and maintenance of bomb/navigation systems on the B47 and B52, he graduated from
the University of Miami in 1959 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He enjoyed a 30 year career in Research and Development at Lockheed Aircraft until his retirement in 1989 and then
relocated to Hendersonville. He was a skilled wood worker/turner, fly fisherman, gourmet cook, community volunteer, as well as an active member of St. James.

He is survived by his beloved Judy; three children, Rick (Charlene) Zalesky of Atlanta, GA, Chris (Nancy) Zalesky of Doylestown, PA, and Jean (Mike) Rentnelli of Deltona, FL. He
leaves behind his four cherished grandchildren: Zack (Hannah) Zalesky, Christopher Zalesky and finance (Julia), Zola (Austin) Lopeman, and Patrick Zalesky and friend, (Jess). A brother, Jim
Zalesky of Chicago, IL, also survives him, as do his second family, Kristin (Jason) Woodbury and Kane Mettler, both of CA, and Kevin Mettler, deceased.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7, 2018, at St. James Episcopal Church. Interment will immediately follow the service at the church in the Burns Powell Garden.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be directed to the Carolina Mountain Woodturners Assn., P.O. Box 16606, West Asheville, NC 28806, or to a charity of one's choice.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of
arrangements.