Ralph "Bud" Hettinga

It is with profound sadness and heavy heart that we announce the passing of Bud (Ralph Martin) Hettinga. Bud joined our heavenly father on Saturday, December 5th, 2020 after a long hospital confinement.

Bud is preceded in death by his parents Mildred Hettinga of Frese Roswell, NM and Ralph Hettinga of Hillsboro, NM and his brother, Thomas Hettinga of Las Cruces, NM.



He is survived by his beloved son, Mark Hettinga (Daughter-in-law, Susan) and grandchildren, Brandon and Justin Hettinga, and Ms. Bobby Hettinga, whom he was married to for fifty-three years. Two sisters, Susan Wilson of Forney, Texas and Janet Ragsdale of Hudson Oaks, Texas. Two brothers, Robert Hettinga and Michael Frese both from Albuquerque, NM.



Bud was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan and moved to Roswell, New Mexico at an early age with his family. The family started their business "Hettinga Brothers" a lumber yard and cabinet shop. They were also in the construction industry, building homes where Bud learned the building trades at an early age. He developed many skills such as rough and finish carpentry, roofing, sheet-rocking and electrical and plumbing basics. He carried these skills with him and utilized this knowledge throughout his life. As a young man he became interested in country music, dogs, horses, hunting, fishing and politics.



Bud met and married Bobby Knight (Mary Bob) in 1962 while studying at New Mexico State University from which he graduated with a degree in agriculture. The loving couple moved to the north valley area of Las Cruces in 1964 and stayed deeply rooted in the farming community throughout his life.



It was Bud's lifelong dream to have a ranch in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He and his wife were able to achieve that goal in the 1990's. The ranch was located directly across the highway from the Dan Storm ranch that he had so greatly admired as a small boy when going on family trips to Ruidoso. His ranching heroes were his great friends throughout life, Ronnie and his son Merritt.



Bud and Bobby enjoyed many years of active participation in their many interests throughout his life, including dirt biking and motorcycle cross country racing, snowmobiling, wilderness packing, raising and showing Arabian horses, competing with his friend, Lester Wiley of Alamogordo in horse showing, trout fishing as well as ocean fishing, four-wheeling, and his last big love, team roping!



Bud also completed many accomplishments throughout his life. He served in the New Mexico State Legislature. New Mexico Governors, both Republican and Democrat, asked Bud to serve on various commissions and boards including The NM State Highway Commission and the NM State Game and Fish Commission.



He served as president of the New Mexico Amigos, the Kiwanis Club, the Las Cruces Homebuilders, Southwest Paving Products. He was the founder and President of Highland Enterprises, Inc., Two-Bit Trucking, Inc. and the New Mexico Businessman's Team Roping Association.



He served directorships of the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, Citizens Bank, the Better Business Bureau, and as chairman of the Greater Las Cruces Industrial Development Board.



He was a member of the Dona Ana County Farm Bureau, the Associated Contractors of New Mexico, the Las Cruces Forum, and was selected as a delegate to the Congressional Small Business Summit.



Bud was well known and respected by many, serving as mentor, leader, hero, and savior to those in a time of need. He is loved by friends and family and will be dearly missed.



Services will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, December 18th, 2020 at the First Baptist Church, 4201 No. Sonoma Ranch Blvd, Las Cruces, NM, 88011 with a reception to follow. Getz Funeral Home will be live streaming services at Getzcares.com

Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave. Las Cruces, NM 88001. Please visit www.getzcares.com to sign the local online guest book.





BUD, RALPH MARTIN, HETTINGA