Fred K. Budzyna

GLENMONT, New York -- U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Ret.) Fred K. "Bud" Budzyna of Glenmont, New York, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, and children Tom, Susan and John. Born in Burlington, Vermont, March 25, 1938, Bud grew up in Worcester, Mass., married Oct. 8, 1960 and enjoyed an exciting life as a Soldier before settling in Glenmont in 1978. His 25-years of honorable military service include two tours in Vietnam, five Bronze Star medals, an Air Medal and numerous commendation and service awards. He began his career as a private in 1957. After basic training he was assigned to Germany, completed his enlistment and returned to Worcester, Massachusetts in 1960. Fred reenlisted in 1961 and after a tour in Japan where he climbed Mount Fuji he was accepted in the Army's Officer Candidate School and began studying nights to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska and a master's degree from Western Kentucky University. He also graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and earned the honorary title as a Kentucky Colonel for assistance he provided to the Kentucky National Guard while stationed at Fort Knox. Living up to the honorable expectations of an Army officer, Fred was once approached during the Vietnam War by a Soldier, a sole surviving son and family provider, whose home state draft board ignored the Soldier's circumstances. Knowing this was a violation of regulations and law, Fred confirmed the facts and formally asked the Soldier's state draft board to reconsider their decision. When they refused, Fred pushed a request through the Army's chain of command to overrule the draft board's decision. His action led to an approval, the issuance of discharge orders for the Soldier so he could return home to care for his family. Fred's initiative in this matter was only learned after discovering a thank you letter from the Soldier and his family in Fred's personal belongings. An ardent sports fan, Fred enjoyed playing softball with the Rensselaer Giants and while stationed in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, pitched a no-hitter during the regular season of the base's competitive fast pitch softball league. He retired from the Army in 1983 after serving as the U.S. Army Recruiting Command Albany District Battalion Commander. For several years he managed the Colonial Acres Golf Course years where he chipped a hole-in-one on the first hole on more than one occasion. Fred and Peggy both volunteered for the Town of Bethlehem's Meals on Wheels and School Supplies programs. An avid reader with a flair for making people laugh, Fred enjoyed all manner of writer's from Shakespeare to P.G. Woodhouse to Charles Schultz. He was an extra in the 1987 movie "Ironweed" and, while living in Kentucky was coaxed to audition for the lead role as Oscar in a local production of Neil Simon's play "The Odd Couple". Fred auditioned wearing a sweatshirt and dungarees. The director thanked Fred for auditioning in character and got the part. Fred is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Peggy, both proud of their children: Tom and his wife, Janet, of Annapolis, Maryland; Susan and her husband John Klein, and their son, Ben, of Warrior Alabama; and John and his wife, Deirdre, and their children Colin, Erin and Maggie of Newburyport, Massachusetts. Fred's parents, now deceased, were Theodore P. and Ruth M. Budzyna and he was the oldest of seven children: Ted; Bob and his wife, Jane, and their son, Bobby; John and his wife, Paula; Catherine; Marion; and Edward. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2 to 4 pm at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar, New York. A service immediately follows at 4 pm at the funeral home. Due to allergies, please do not send flowers or wear strong perfumes if attending. The Albany Community Hospice was especially supportive in Fred and Peggy's final months together, so in lieu of flowers please send donations to the Albany Community Hospice, c/o Community Hospice Administrative Offices, 295 Valley View Blvd, Rensselaer, NY 12144, phone (518) 724-0242 or (800) 678-0711or donate through their webpage http://www.communityhospice.org/. Donations can also be sent to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Rensselaer County, 544 Broadway, Rensselaer, NY 12144, phone (518) 465-3403, or visit their website http://www.bgcsorensco.org/.