RADM William C. Hushing, USN (Ret)
PALM
BEACH GARDENS, FL — RADM William C. Hushing, USN, died peacefully on
August 22 surrounded by the love and care of family and friends.
William C (Bill) Hushing was born in Missouri, and grew up in places where his pattern maker father found employment, such as Illinois, the Panama Canal Zone, and Washington, DC. He graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1939 with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Later education included degrees from MIT, Harvard Advanced Management Program, and an honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of New Hampshire.
After graduation from the Naval Academy, Hushing was assigned to the USS DETROIT and survived the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Widely recognized as a problem solver, communicator, and technological innovator, Hushing rose steadily through naval ranks with duty stations of increasing responsibility such as comptroller, Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California where he developed and installed the first completely integrated computer-based general management system in 1958. This became the showpiece of Department of Defense computer systems.
As Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, Hushing was responsible for all submarine work contracted by the Navy 1960 - 1964, including an instrumental role in developing, among others, the first Polaris sub. When the USS Thresher sank, his work on the official Board of Inquiry resulted in new safety protocols that have prevented further accidents and saved thousands of lives to this day.
In 1964 he became Commander of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (NH) with the mission to increase efficiencies or face closure. Because of his dedication and the continuing efforts of a highly motivated workforce, PNSY still exists and is widely recognized as the USA's premier facility for submarine repair. There he attained the rank of Rear Admiral.
His national awards include two Legions of Merit, Pacific Theatre (Star), American Defense (Star), and other Navy commendations. Local awards include Portsmouth's Citizen of the Year; and Resolution, Commendation from the NH State Legislature. He was a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers. RADM Hushing was a frequent guest lecturer at universities like MIT, Dartmouth, and Carnegie-Mellon; and a principal speaker at local Rotary, Kiwanis, and Chambers of Commerce meetings.
After retirement from the Navy in 1969 Hushing was an executive and management consultant for several regional and national companies, where his high ethical standards were plainly on view. Later he cared conscientiously for his chronically ill daughter and wife with humor and compassion until their deaths.
He relocated to Florida in 1987 and enjoyed an active social life through Pundits, The Navy League of Palm Beach and People to People International. There he found a second chance for love with sweetheart and eventual caregiver Anita Manuel. Their relationship lasted nearly 30 years until his death.
Admiral Hushing's mother, father, first wife Mary and daughter Druscilla predeceased him. He is survived by beloved daughter Rebecca and her family; devoted brother Sumner and his family; and sweetheart Anita Manuel and her family.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, September 11, 2015 from 5-6pm at Royal Palm Funeral Home, 5601 Greenwood Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407. Funeral Services will follow at 6:00pm.
Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, date still to be determined. There will be a private ceremony for family and loved ones.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Navy Marine Corp Relief Society (NMCRS.org), the Navy League of the Palm Beaches (NavyLeague-PBCouncil.org), or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NationalMSSociety.org).
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