Ronald Budd Hildreth of Montauk died at his home on June 21, surrounded by his family.
The son of Joshua Budd and Jane Maag, he graduated valedictorian from Bayport High School in 1950 and went on to graduate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, a master’s degree in business administration from Rutgers University in 1957, and a law degree in 1961 from Georgetown University School of Law. In 1969, he became a partner in the law firm, Brumbaugh, Graves, Donohue & Raymond, where he practiced patent law. He retired in 2003 from Baker Botts law firm.
Mr. Hildreth had been a lecturer for the Practising Law Institute, an adjunct professor of patent law at Long Island University from 1968 through 1977, and an adjunct professor of patent, trademark, and copyright law at St. John’s University School of Law since 1972. He authored the textbook, “Patent Law: A Practitioner’s Guide,” which is currently in use in classrooms today. He was formerly a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and the Virginia Bar; as well as the New York Industrial Property Law Association.
An 11th generation Hildreth from Southampton, he served as president of the Hildreth Family Association for 30 years. He was a former resident of Garden City for 54 years, where is was an active member of the Cherry Valley Club; and he was a longtime member of the University Club in Manhattan.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joan (Cashman); five children, Steven Ronald and wife Emma Radcliffe of Floral Park, Bradley Budd and wife Maria Donahue of Garden City, Jane (Hildreth) O’Keeffe of Garden City, Elizabeth Anne (Hildreth) and husband Joseph Scully of Illinois, and Jeffrey Cashman and wife Jaime Vassallo Hildreth of Montauk; 15 grandchildren, Tyler Steven and Gregory Pierce Hildreth; Lucas Bradley, Megan Elizabeth, Alexandra Margaret, and Deveny Maria Hildreth; Kathleen Cashman, Kelly Ulland, and Ian Brice O’Keeffe; Anne Elizabeth, Mary Jane, and Joseph Percival Scully Jr.; and Kieran Jeffrey, Audrey Joan and Baron Richard Hildreth.
A funeral service was held June 24 at the St. Therese of Liseux Church, followed by burial in Fort Hill Cemetery in Montauk.
Memorial donations may be made to the church, 67 South Essex Street, Montauk, NY 11954.