Bud Vandersnick

Bud (Arthur Larry) Vandersnick

Phoenix - Bud Vandersnick, a genial man with a stridently positive attitude and an encyclopedic knowledge of sports and politics died December 11, 2018. He was our own Google. He was 66. Bud was a fine athlete in his youth, enough to earn a full scholarship to the University of Iowa (U of I). He held degrees in journalism and business from the U of I and from the University of Southern Illinois. He was a solid journalist which included sports reporting and editing world and national events and sports. Those who knew him best had great respect for his editing professionalism. Proud to be on the staffs over a 42 year career of the Moline Dispatch, the Greenville News, the Scottsdale Progress, the Phoenix Gazette and longest of all for 25 years, the Arizona Republic (Hey guys can you give us a discount?). He was one of four people to complete the final fold of the Phoenix Gazette. Even after retirement he often used the phrase "We're not on deadline here"...and we weren't. A simple life, but Bud was not a simple man. He was a role model for those facing horrific diseases and carried himself with dignity and grace. Surviving eight different cancers over a lifetime he never gave up. He loved family, Suns basketball, cats and jazz...possibly in that order. He always had a sense of humor. He loved and is loved by his family: wife Jackie Weatherby; Brent, Lindsey, Logan and Ethan Weatherby, Herb and Maribeth Vandersnick, Harold(deceased) and Kathy Vandersnick, Sandy and Gary Sturtewagen, Sally DeDecker, a host of nieces and nephews and Molly The Cat. His parents were Regina and Arthur Vandersnick of Atkinson, Illinois. Let us honor and support our journalists for they are protectors of the truth. Purchase newspapers, hard copy or online, and please, if you can, give to cancer research and Hospice of the Valley. Bud's celebration of life will be in January. Remembrances may be shared at www.bestfuneralservices.com.