Henry Kudish

Henry Kudish, who spent much of his adult life as a Connecticut resident, died on October 18, 2022 at the Veterans Home and Hospital in Rocky Hill. He was 90. Throughout his life, Henry enjoyed the company of friends and family, listening to classical and jazz music, reading - often finishing three books within a week, reveled in the challenges of his work as an aerospace engineer, and has a special appreciation for the works of Edgar Allan Poe and William Shakespeare.

Henry was born on June 2, 1932, in Havana, Cuba, the son of the late Boris and Mary Kudish. In 1941, after emigrating from Cuba, the family settled in Providence, RI, where Henry attended school. While studying at the University of Rhode Island, he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), rising to the rank of second lieutenant. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1953, he was assigned to work with the Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir, VA. During that time, he helped to develop a night scope weapons system and was sent to South Korea to field test the completed device.

After Henry was honorably discharged from the United States Army, he briefly worked for General Electric before joining the Boeing Company. In 1967 while working at Boeing, he received a Master’s Degree from the University of Washington. Shortly after completing his Master’s, Henry relocated to Huntsville, AL where he was named the lead project engineer on the Lunar Rover Vehicle (LRV), which NASA used for the Apollo 15,16 and 17 moon missions in 1971 and 1972. Henry spearheaded the efforts of 400 men during a 17 month period to create this technological marvel. In an interview with the Providence (R.I.) Journal in 1970, Henry stated, “It’s the toughest thing I ever worked on in my life.” Although the LRV was popularly referred to as the ‘moon buggy’, it was also named the “Kuddie Kart” to recognize Henry’s design contributions. Shortly after the completion of the LRV, Henry transferred to New Orleans, La. and enjoyed the atmosphere and music of NOLA. He also worked for United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in Connecticut before retiring in 1994.

Helene and Henry lived on Martha’s Vineyard for five years, where they enjoyed the magic of the island and made many dear friends. Henry will be remembered as a caring and kind man who was beloved by many.

Henry is survived by his devoted wife of 18 years, Helene Y. Brown of Hartford and his seven children from two previous marriages: Stanley Kudish (LeAnn) of Norwood, CO, Stephanie Gamber (Steve) of Scottsdale, AZ, Marianne Robinett (Robert) of Kent, WA, David Kudish (Carol) of Geneva,IL, Karen Kudish (Brian Forbes) of Newington, Kathy Kudish (William Sleavin) of North Granby and Michael Kudish of Suffield. He also is survived by his four stepchildren: Lisa Smith-Horn (John) of Ellington, Debra J. Horn (Carol Gale) of Hartford, Jonathan Horn (Karyn) of Canton, and Jennifer Horn of South Windsor, as well as 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Henry’s first wife, Mary Kop as well as his second wife, Alma Ann Norvell, predeceased him, as did his two brothers, Robert and Edward.

A Memorial Service has been scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 30 at the Universalist Church of West Hartford, 433 Fern St., West Hartford with a reception to follow in Fiske Hall at the church. Burial with military honors in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Henry’s memory may be made to the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in Southington or the Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield has been entrusted with the arrangements. To share a memory of Henry, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.