Howard J. Heglin, born July, 30 1924 in Sioux City, Iowa, to Anna Teresa Heglin (ne Smith) and John David Heglin, passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham on Feb. 5, 2011, from complications of old age.

He graduated from Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles. He served in World War II in the infantry in the Philippines and Okinawa, receiving two purple hearts and a combat infantry badge.

The G.I. Bill allowed him to get his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Southern California in industrial psychology. He received his bachelor’s cum laude and completed both degrees in 33 months. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in experimental psychology. He was on a fellowship at the University of Florida for three years after his graduation.

He was a senior scientist in the aerospace industry in engineering psychology, man-machine interface systems, and systems engineering. His efforts were utilized in the Apollo space launches. In his early retirement he taught as a graduate instructor in psychology and management on U.S. Navy ships in the Orient, in Europe and in the Middle East.

He married Elna (Bobbie) McMullen in Largo, Fla. He and Bobbie enjoyed dancing and singing. He was president of a folk dance club and wrote the book, “Folk Dancing for Self Expression and Group Experience.” He was also in several choruses, such as the Whidbey Choral.

He was preceded in death by Bobbie on July 18, 2009.

Howard’s life exceeded all expectations from his impoverished childhood. It was characterized by education and intellectual pursuits as well as foreign travel, music and dance and landscaping. He was noted for his wry sense of humor.

He is survived by his children, John C. Heglin and Suzan K. Heglin and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son James R Heglin.

He will be missed.