Harold Steven Bauduit

Hal was born in New Orleans and grew up in New Orleans and New York City where he attended City College of New York. He joined the Navy during the Korean War.  From boot camp, he attended NAPS and then the Naval Academy. He was the fifth African American to graduate from the Academy.

 

He served tours in the Air Force, primarily as a navigator in B-52’s. In 1967 while assigned to an Air Force unit in Thailand flying in B-66 electronics intercept aircraft, he severely injured a leg in a motorcycle accident resulting in a medical retirement.

 

After retirement, Hal earned a law degree at the University of Colorado where he had previously earned masters in business and economics.  Subsequently, he taught business and black studies at Front Range Community College and the University of Colorado, worked in the Legal Department at Lowry Air Force Base, with Housing and Urban Development in Denver and in his own law practice.

 

Unbeknownst to most of his classmates, Hal was subjected to racial discrimination in New Orleans, New York City, Annapolis, and when attempting to buy a home in Southern California. He, along with his wife Martie, had to continually battle this bias.  Their efforts, in their own way, helped achieve the civil rights gains of the time.  Hal believed that if he could succeed in life by applying himself, others could too. 

 

A fall led to his death in January 2000. Hal’s son, Harold S. Bauduit, III  predeceased him. His wife Martie passed away in 2001.  Hal is survived by his two daughters, Cheryl B. Williams of Aurora, CO and Lianne B. Moss of San Diego, CA.