Merle O. Bunde
Merle O. Bunde, 85, of Clear Lake City, TX passed away on Sunday, March 4,2018. He is survived by his son Scott Bunde and wife Jaye of Austin, TX and daughter Janet Agee of League City, TX; brothers Jerome Bunde of Wallace, ID; Peter Bunde of McVille, ND; sisters Margaret Barnes of Landers, CA; Joyce Pinto of Hanover, PA; Rosalie Naas of McVille, ND; Sally Broomell of Jacobus, PA; Grandchildren Tamara Watkins, Kristi Cook, Carina and John Bunde; Great Grandchildren Lily-Ann and Luke Watkins and special friend Juanda Cole. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 50 years Anita (Hanson), two daughters that died at birth, and brother Robert Bunde of McVille, ND. Merle was born on a farm in McVille, ND March 2, 1933 to Oscar and Ruth (Doud) Bunde. He graduated from University of North Dakota (BS) and received his MS at MIT in Boston. He served as a weather forecaster in the Air Force for 9 years, and then moved to Houston to work for IBM programming the re-entry for NASA Apollo Missions. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Armand Bayou Nature Center and Exploration Green in Clear Lake. He enjoyed playing senior softball, the ukulele, dancing, skiing, gardening, and playing games with family and friends. He was an active member of the Clear lake City community for 54 years and was loved by everyone that knew him. The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life at La Brisa Mexican Grill in League City, March 17th at 1pm. Please come casual with fond memories to share. In Lieu of flowers, charitable donations to Armand Bayou Nature Center in his honor would be appreciated.
Merle was a wonderful human being that I am honored to have know and will truly miss. I am so sorry for your loss. Jana
Merle was one of the first people I knew at IBM and was one of the nicest human beings alive. He always had a smile on his face and he never made you feel like any question you asked was not worth his time to answer and he was so committed to his family and his work. The world can never have enough Merle Bundes. Sympathy to his family.. Liz Poje
Bob and Leona Kain send their sincere condolences to all of Merle’s family and his special friend, Juanda. Having been a friend of Merle’s for many, many years we will definitely miss his friendship.
Merle was an exceptional gentleman who enriched those around him. He certainly had an admirable love of life. Many enjoyed his beautiful vocal and instrumentation on the ukulele.
Our sincere condolences. Special thoughts and prayers to Juanda Cole as you cope with the loss of a great friend to share common interests. May God provide comfort and strength to all during this difficult time.
Merle was an “Angel” with the Shipmates Square Dance Club. Had it not been for him (and a few others) I would have given up! Just such a gentleman. We loved him and his late wife.
All your Classic Team players and John D will remember the joy or playing with you and my personal condolences to most special friend, Juanda.
My family and I got to know Merle and Anita through Newcomers’ Bridge, and maintained the relationship throughout our time in Houston. Merle went with Dad (Joe Nordstrom) on a Habitat trip to Brazil, and I know they had a wonderful time. My husband volunteered with him at Armand Bayou Nature Center as well.
And he was one of my all-time favorite bridge partners.
A singular quality he had was of actually listening to what you had to say, taking the time to evaluate it, and only then composing his reply. I never saw him spend the time someone else was talking just thinking about what he was going to say.
My deceased husband, Les and I were part of the Frontier Square Dancing Club
and danced with Merle and his wife most Saturday nights back in the days when
we were welcome to use their facilities. Moving, retirement and the Club’s loss of
a stable, dancing facility meant that we all went our separate ways and so have
not been with Merle for a long time.
Thank you Larry for keeping us all in the Loop. I’m saddened by Merle’s passing
for his family. He was a dear man and know he is in a better place!
Retired former Cashier–NASA JSC
I worked with, and also for, Merle at IBM FSD. He struck me as a very conscientious and competent manager, who truly cared for his people. As a friend he could not be beat: always pleasant and gracious, fun to be around, usually with a cheerful smile on his face. And, as others have already said, he was one of the downright nicest people on the face of the entire planet. My life is better for having known him.
Merle was such a positive person and he bonded with my brother, Johnny, whom shared in common the dreaded “big C” and their surgeries were very similar.
Merle was really good on his ukulele and loved to do the Irish jigs and tunes. It is very fitting to bid him farewell today and remember his smile.
Merle and I worked together on Apollo Reentry and we bowled with him and Anita for many years. He was a good and loyal friend for more than 50 years. Rose and I will miss him.
Just heard that Merle passed, and missed the service to celebrate his generous and full life. He had a great deal of energy and put it to good use, helping others and the community.
Thank you to Juanda for being there for him, and our sincere condolences to his family. He will be missed by many of us.
April 15, 2018