Maynard Alfred Aloysius "Bud" Plamondon Maynard Alfred

Maynard Alfred Aloysius "Bud" Plamondon Maynard Alfred Aloysius "Bud" Plamondon, 83, of Arlington, Texas, formerly of Albuquerque, NM, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on December 11, 2024, with his loving family by his side after a five year battle with vascular dementia. Bud was born on December 29, 1940, in Hanover, New Hampshire. He grew up mostly in Lebanon, New Hampshire, where he met his future wife, Mona, in second grade. They married on June 17, 1961, in part, he would say, because Mona's nursing school residence hall would not let boys inside the building unless they were married. They remained married for 63 wonderful years until his death. Bud became interested in bridges at an early age, which inspired him to become a Civil Engineer. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He joined ROTC and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at UNH. He was commissioned into the Air Force upon graduation but deferred active duty to continue his higher education by attending graduate school at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign "Fighting Illini" campus, where he earned both his MS and PhD in Civil Engineering. While living in Urbana, Illinois, Mona gave birth to their two beloved sons, Mike and Steve. Upon graduating from U of I in 1966, Bud began active duty. He served three years and earned the rank of Captain. He was stationed at the Kirtland Air Force Base Weapons Lab in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he performed advanced research. Weapons effect research became his lifelong career. He thought it was the best job in the world to build underground concrete bunkers, hook them up with cameras and explosives, blow them up, and then write a report about what happened; it was his way of serving our great country. He was an extraordinary mentor to many junior engineers throughout his career. He loved what he did, eventually retiring in 2013 at the age of 73 from Applied Research Associates, an advanced research firm founded in Albuquerque by friends from Kirtland. Bud was a very active and beloved member of his community throughout his life. When his sons were young, he attended every one of their Albuquerque Academy sporting events and band performances. When they became involved in swimming, he volunteered to become President of the New Mexico swimming association, traveling to swim meets across the state to run the electronic timing equipment so kids could get their times. He loved to socialize at parties; his smile and friendliness were contagious. Starting in 2005, Bud and Mona began spending their winters as snowbirds traveling between Albuquerque and Wildwood, Florida, which continued for 15 years. In 2020, Bud was diagnosed with vascular dementia. He gradually lost his ability to remember things, but his loving and friendly spirit never left him. In 2021, Bud and Mona left Albuquerque after 55 years and moved to Arlington, Texas, to be closer to family. Even with his progressing dementia, Bud was always eager to engage, eventually becoming a regular at the YMCA in North Arlington, where members could count on him for a smile or a high five. In early 2024, Bud became a resident of the Meadowbrook Memory Care community in Arlington, Texas, where he was welcomed and assisted with incredible care by loving nurses and staff until his death. Bud was preceded in death by his sister, Anne Farver; and brother-in-law, Chuck Peck. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Mona; his son, Mike (Andrea) of St. Charles, IL, and their children Kasey (Dylan Orris) and Henry; his son, Steve (Lori) of Arlington, TX, and their children Kathryn (Karsen Keith) and Carson; his siblings, Donna, Brian (Cindy), and Mark; his brother-in-law, Dean Farver; and sisters-in-law, Ellen Peck and Debbie; and several nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews. Please see full obituary at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/arlington-tx/maynard-plamondon-12127590