Robert D. Budens

Services for Robert D. Budens, 67, retired US patent officer, will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 22, 2021, at Lacy Funeral Home with Paul Romer officiating. Burial will follow at Russell Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M.- 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 22, 2021, at Lacy Funeral Home.

Robert was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 22, 1953, to Wilbert and Elizabeth (Von Dufay) Budens. He married Marjorie Goodyear on May 24, 2019, in Temple, Texas.

Robert was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served a two-year mission in San Diego, California, and continued his service to the church in various capacities throughout his life.

Robert earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in microbiology from BYU and worked on his doctoral degree in immunology and virology at UT Southwestern.

Because of his training at UT Southwestern, Robert secured his “dream job” as a patent officer at the US Patent and Trademark office, specializing in HIV and AIDS research. He was the youngest person to become a primary examiner for the patent office.

His 29-year career began with the patent office and ended with his presidency of the Patent Officers Professional Association. During his tenure at POPA, Robert earned two Silver awards and one Bronze award from the US Department of Commerce for meritorious service.

Robert is survived by his wife, Marjorie (Goodyear) Budens; a daughter-in-law, Emily Owens; 2 granddaughters, Finley Ruth Owens, and Hallie Sue Burns; 3 sisters, Barbara Lee Guthrie of Gillette, Wyoming, Beverly Longfellow and husband, Rich of Austin, Texas, Barbara Ann Fuselier of Marietta, Oklahoma; brother, Philip Creecy of Marietta, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Marlene Snyder, and stepson, Samuel Ray Owens.

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