Friday, May 1, 2020
My deepest condolences to Stephan and Carol. Your dad was a profound influence on my life, as was he to so many more young men and women that he touched.
My earliest recollections of Bud were early in my scouting career @1969. He and Walter Voorhees soon became the ying to each others yang. After Walters auto accident, Bud stepped in to cover the adventure aspect of Troop 90, and some adventures did we have! Every month, we went to camporees, backpacking, canoeing, Klondike derbies......it never seemed to end! My indelible memory of Bud's homemade backpack frame, which he always used (even at Philmont!), is something that legends are built on!
Concurrent to the fun in scouts, was the joy of being part of the Joshua Huddy Fife and Drum corps. Bud was always the voice of reason that evened out Walt's "hairies" (those that were there, know what I'm talking about!), permitting us to all coexist in a somewhat docile fashion. I soon learned that it was the process, not the product that made us special. Chasing the bicentennial circuit, all of us became better people through Bud's calm demeaner through difficult situations. For me, it was quite an honor to share the driving with Bud in a rental van to a drum corps event in Michigan.
Bud was instrumental in two achievements that have profoundly influences my life. Attaining the rank of Eagle Scout and my passion for Fife And Drum music. I will be forever in his debt.
God bless
David Roche
