Garske, Emil "Bud" 10/25/1944 ~ 06/24/2014 SAN DIEGO -- Captain Bud Garske, a popular captain at PSA and USAirways, passed away peacefully at his home in San Diego, overlooking Mission Bay, the Pacific Ocean with sailboats in the distance and his friends at his side. Bud was born in Miami, Florida, to Emil Garske Sr. and Carol Baldwin. Bud attended Stranahan High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and after his tour with the Marines, graduated from Georgia Tech. In 1968, he joined the United States Marine Corps and went through officer training and flight school at Pensacola, Florida. After earning his Marine aviation wings, Bud was selected to fly fighter aircraft and went through training on the F-4 Phantom. He volunteered for duty in Vietnam, and was stationed in Chu Lai, South Vietnam with VMF 115 from 1969 through 1970. While there, he flew many dangerous missions and received, among other awards and medals, the Air Medal with Numeral 24. Bud also flew missions in the A-4, and later while flying for the Marine Reserve Squadron in Atlanta, Georgia, flew the F-8 Crusader and OV-10. Bud was hired at Pacific Southwest Airlines in 1977 and was a crewmember on the Boeing 727, and Douglas MD-80 aircraft. He flew as a captain on the Bae 146 and was selected to be a Check Pilot / Instructor on that aircraft, training not only pilots from PSA and USAirways but also pilots from other countries. After PSA was merged into USAirways, Bud flew as a captain on the Boeing 737, 757, and 767 aircraft. He retired from USAirways in 2004 after several years as an international captain on the Boeing 767, flying from Charlotte, North Carolina, to many of the major cities in Europe. When not flying, Bud was sailing on Valhalla, his beloved Morgan 38 Sailboat. An accomplished sailor, Bud sailed up and down the California coast, and spent part of each summer in various coves at Catalina Island. Bud was a member of the Airline Pilots Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and was a founding member of the Yankee Air Pirates. Bud was a lifelong bachelor. He lived life to the fullest. He was everyone's friend and was known for his quick smile, infectious laugh and wicked sense of humor. He possessed that quiet sense of command, yet at the same time was modest and easy going. We miss you, Bud. Go well. Semper Fi. Services will be held at Miramar National Cemetery on July 14 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, send donations to Semperfifund.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
May you Rest In Peace my dear friend!
Kathie B. (Buzzy)
Friend
July 26, 2021
I knew Bud in Vietnam and again in Cherry Point. Simply a great pilot and great man. Years later I ran into him at the Atlanta Airport. We gad lunch and swapped stories. That was the last time I saw him.
Brad Potts
Other
July 5, 2021
My husbands best friend in High School! May you both soar higher than Eagles!
Cindy Peters
Friend
June 30, 2020
I remember the many years we would drive up to Miramar NAS to attend the Air Show, the sailing adventures around San Diego bay and that famous beverage recipe "yucca" you were famous for. Go in peace my friend and God bless you.
Rick
Friend
February 28, 2018
I will miss you forever
Leeta
July 2, 2017
I will miss you forever,
Little Wing
July 2, 2017
Dear Bud -
Rest in peace, love, light and understanding.
Ellen
May 27, 2016
My best friend from High school, best man at my wedding, was in Pensacola with him. So many memories from Civil Air Patrol, to Marietta, Ga. where he lived with us while in Tech., until he got his job with PSA. Will miss you "Garcone"
Jim Peters
March 16, 2015
Emile! We shared many laughs at Riverbend, VMFA 351 when we flew ATL to North Ksland at a 1000 AGL. I love you. Semper Fi
Hotel Brooks
February 16, 2015
I remember your poem: "Sally in the alley
farts like a man. Cheeks in the wind going
bam, bam, bam!" Love ya, man...
July 14, 2014
Bud will not be remembered for all that he did, which was abundant, but rather for all the lives he changed and all the smiles he created when he walked into a room.
Linebacker
July 10, 2014
RIP Bud - I knew you at a time in our lives when anything was possible. PSA was famous for that. It was a privilege to fly with you! May you soar with the angels.
July 6, 2014
A man who exemplified how to add a little something to the lives of everyone with whom he came into contact. The quintessential gentleman.
John Silverman
John Silverman
July 6, 2014
So very sorry to read of Bud's passing. Bud gave us some great boating equipment for our sail down to Mexico. He was so kind and so friendly. RIP, Bud!
Chris and Tom Waters
July 6, 2014
A one of a kind guy. You will always be remembered by your many friends who's heart you touched so many times. Rest in peace my friend.
July 6, 2014
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