LeRoy Christian Voechting "Roy" LaBudde

LaBudde, LeRoy Christian Voechting "Roy" 7/21/1921-9/20/2015. Resident of St. John's, died peacefully Sunday leaving behind beloved wife Anne, adored sister Thea and brother-in-law Bill Brunsell, oldest childhood friend from second grade, Dick Evans, sons Peter (Barb), Michael (Frances), Jackson (Sue), twin daughters Susan and Sarah (James Wolffe), grandchildren Nick (Lindsay), Stephanie, Joseph, Jenny (Zach Steveson), Jessica, Katherine, David and Max, great-grandson Collin, niece and nephew Annie Brunsell and Paul Brunsell (who knew Roy as "Uncle Muscles"), and many other relatives and friends. Roy was preceded in death by his younger brother, Donald, his great-grandaughter Emma, and his son-in-law, Brian. Roy was a graduate of Whitefish Bay High School, Carlton College (1943), and Harvard Law School (1949). After serving as a Captain in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, Roy finished law school, came home, and married Anne. He joined the law firm of Michael, Best & Friedrich in 1949 as a corporate and tax lawyer, retiring in 1993. He served for many years on the management committee and was a shrewd, practical and creative counselor for his clients. Roy engaged in many charitable endeavors, serving on the board of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, the Wisconsin Historical Foundation, the Herzfeld Foundation, and the Wisconsin War Memorial, among others. In the 1950s and 1960s, Roy and Anne opened their home to shelter a series of some 16 unmarried pregnant girls who needed respite and care during their confinements; they hosted two weddings as a result. Roy had a tremendous sense of humor and fun, was a lively raconteur, and always had a joke and kind word to share. A lover of practical jokes, when he learned a close friend's household was besieged by stomach flu, Dad called them up pretending to be from the Village of Bayside Sewer District Maintenance Department, instructing them not to flush their toilets "until further notice." Amid all the tumult of raising five children and often having a house overrun with kids, friends, pets and mayhem, he only rarely hid in the darkened basement. He enjoyed the occasional martini. Sometimes in the basement. Roy was an avid bridge player. Although an inconsistent golfer, he had an uncanny ability to know when to 'press'. His favorite part of a ski vacation was the apre-ski. He was proud of the fact his wife Anne usually beat him at golf. He was the very embodiment of loyalty. He loved to travel and to spend time with his family at Dairymen's in northern Wisconsin and skiing at Winter Park, Colorado. He was a self-made man, competitive, dogged and smart, and the most self-deprecating guy you ever met. He was dependable, responsible, a loving father and husband, a generous host of holidays, dinners and parties. He was quietly dapper and a gentleman. He loved any excuse to belt out the "Happy Birthday" song, though his wish to be invited to perform an encore went forever unrequited. He was invariably chipper, selfless, and open-hearted; he loved meeting people. He put his five children through college and graduate school. We will dearly miss his enthusiasm, love of life, and energy. Our special thanks to the staff of St John's Stratford Court, Horizon Hospice, and Dr. John Betz for their loving care. A private service will be held by the family and a public memorial to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to the American Cancer Society, Christ Church of Whitefish Bay, St. Christopher's Church of River Hills, or charity of your choice.