Bud, and siblings Hunter and Kendall, grew up and attended school in Storrs, and it was there that Bud began his long association with the Boy Scouts and achieved Eagle rank. Following his 1949 graduation from St. Johns Military Academy,  Delafield, WI, he attended the University of Connecticut, pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and then entered the Academy, appointed by Senator Baldwin.

An active and popular member of Company E-1, he earned a Corps Squad soccer monogram and did well academically and militarily with little apparent effort, enjoying himself in the process.

Following the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne and Ranger training at Ft. Benning, his first troop assignment was in Germany, although he returned briefly to the U.S. to marry Donna Roberta Ramsey in the Cadet Chapel. Their daughter Kendall was born in Heidelberg prior to Bud’s assuming command of an Airborne Rifle Company in the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell. Their sons Edwin and Robert were born at Ft. Benning and Hartford, CT, respectively.

After graduating from the Advanced Course, he served an early (1961–63) Viet Nam tour, advising the Vietnamese Military Academy, at Dalat, accompanied by his family and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service. Subsequent to his Command and General Staff College graduation, he followed in his father’s footsteps with a Reserve Officer Training Corps assignment at the University of Connecticut.

In 1967, Bud returned to Viet Nam as a brigade S-3 with the 9th Infantry Division, earning the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, four Air Medals, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. A subsequent Department of the Army staff assignment until 1970 was rewarded with the Meritorious Service Medal.

Bud returned for a third Viet Nam tour as deputy commander, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, then as executive officer, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, followed by combat command of the 5th Battalion, 46th Infantry, and was awarded two more Bronze Stars as well as the Soldier’s Medal. The latter award, for heroism not involving enemy contact, was for the rescue of a crew member from a burning helicopter in which they had both crashed. Accomplished at the risk of his own life, this was the award of which Bud was justifiably most proud. He completed his Viet Nam tour as executive officer of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and returned to Ft. Campbell, KY, in 1972 to command the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.

After graduating from the Army War College and earning a master’s degree from Shippensburg State University, he served with SHAPE Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 1974–77, receiving the Joint Service Commendation Medal. A renewed and very active association with the Boy Scouts earned him the Wood Badge and the national Scouting Silver Beaver Award. A proficient warrior, Bud proved himself an able diplomat as well in this and his remaining assignments. He served as commander of the Office of Defense Cooperation in Paraguay (1977–80), earning the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Highlights were his visits to various Paraguayan military outposts in the Chaco, the rugged outback country that contained no amenities and many Indians. His dedication in making these arduous trips of up to 11 days won him the deep admiration of his hosts.

Bud’s final assignment as U.S. Defense Attaché in Spain (1981–84) was rewarded with another Legion of Merit. While there, he witnessed an attempted coup and later met King Juan Carlos.

He retired as a colonel in 1984 following 30 years of service. In addition to his many awards, he was a Senior Parachutist, Ranger, and Pathfinder, and also earned the Air Assault Badge and seven overseas service bars.

In retirement, Bud and family returned to his roots in Storrs, CT, where they occupied his grandparents’ 1831 home with the lush gardens his grandmother had created. Donna became a tour agent and conducted worldwide tours, giving her and Bud many travel opportunities, their condominium in Gandia, Spain, being a frequent destination. Besides house upkeep and gardening, Bud followed his grandfather’s example and launched into numerous aspects of community service. In addition to his promotion of both the military and scouting, he was a member of the Eagleville Fire Department and the Tri-County Fire Police Association, President of the Mansfield Lions Club, Master Mason, Mason of the Year, and Historian of the Uriel Masonic Lodge, VFW Commander and 20-year coordinator of the Memorial Day Parade, Sexton of the Storrs Cemetery, and a Mansfield Town Councilman for 11 years. He also was a ham radio operator, taught computer science at the Mansfield Senior Center, and advised his community on Veterans’ Affairs.

He married Joyce Cable Recor on 1 Aug 1998, in the beautiful gardens of Kendall Green at his home in Storrs. During their ten happy years together, Bud and Joyce traveled, entertained at their well-tended home and gardens, and faithfully attended Army-Navy, West Point football games and class reunions.

Bud died at home on 28 Jul 2008, surrounded by his beloved family members, and was buried with full military honors near his father in Arlington National Cemetery. A true Connecticut Yankee, he had a fine sense of humor, a love of life, and a strong desire to help others. He was dedicated to his nation as a soldier, to his family as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and to his community as a leader, mentor, and friend.

Well done, Bud. Rest in peace.