Charles "Bud" Stack

Charles "Bud" Rickman Stack, 86, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. His love for God, his family, his friends, and the law empowered him to be the charismatic, soulful, generous, man that provided him an abundant life. He was a mentor to many, a dedicated friend, a devoted husband, an amazing father, a beloved grandfather 'Big Daddy', a brother, an uncle, and was especially kind to the less fortunate.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Alice Stack, daughters Caroline Kelly Stack Simmel (Bradford) and Constance Kara Stack. He was also survived by his grandchildren, James Bradford Simmel, Mia Elizabeth Mohrman, Constance Claire Simmel, and William Charles Mohrman. He was predeceased by his brother John A. Stack and survived by his brother Robert Lazenby. He will be reunited with his son, Kevin Charles Stack, who went to be with the Lord on August 31, 2017.

Bud was born in Boston, MA on September 26, 1935. The family later settled in Melbourne, Florida where he was raised. He loved life by the ocean where he met some lifelong friends, spent time with his beloved grandparents, Hardin and Lola Rickman, and attended Melbourne High School where he lettered in Football and Basketball. He attended the University of Florida as an undergraduate and later received a Juris Doctor Degree at the University of Florida College of Law. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, making many new friends along the way.

He loved to spend quality time with those he held close to his heart and his kindness, spirituality and compassion were his rare gift to all. His faith in God was steadfast and each morning the house would resonate with the melodious sounds of the Lord's Prayer as he sang it every morning while in the shower.

He was the founding partner in successful law firms he created in both Miami and Melbourne, Florida. His prowess as a plaintiff's lawyer was recognized throughout the state as a number of the jury verdicts and settlements he obtained on his client's behalf were in record amounts. He was a giant in the courtroom and his compassion and dedication to his clients was evident in his tenacity to serve and his ability to think like the jury, making complex matters understandable. He was kind yet always believed it a mistake to confuse kindness with weakness. His strength, determination, knowledge of the law, diligent preparation, eloquence, and ability to connect with people were his trademark. He intuitively understood that storytelling and the law have always been inextricably intertwined and is a very powerful form of communication. He was universally recognized by his peers as one of the best trial lawyers in Florida.

A pinnacle in his life occurred on October 12, 1963, when he married the love of his life,

Barbara Alice. During their 59-year marriage, they were blessed with three children and

four grandchildren. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather and a source of inspiration and guidance.

He loved travel and showed his family some of the most beautiful parts of the world. He especially loved spending time in his second home in the mountains of North Carolina where he enjoyed golf, listening to his favorite Willie Nelson songs, and entertaining family and friends with storytelling and wickedly funny remarks, punctuated with infectious laughter. He would be moved by the life stories of others which would occasionally cause the shedding of soulful Irish tears.

At his 80th birthday party, punctuating the importance of family, he remarked, "The best things that ever happened to me growing up were my brother Bobby and my Grandmother, and then something even better. This lady sitting right here...she's so fantastic! Barbara is the finest lady I have ever known. She's filled with principles, honor, goodness, and love. Oh, and she's a tough broad too! I can only say, whatever accomplishments I have ever had in life, as a lawyer, and playing around with politics, which I don't recommend, of all the things that are important in life, there is only one thing that really resonates the most. If you think about it. I hope all of you at this table will have the same pleasure as I have. The pleasure of your family. There's nothing like it in the world. Nothing. I love all of you."

His brother, Bob Lazenby says of him, "No one could have asked for a better brother, law partner, and friend. He was loved, respected, and admired by all who knew him. He possessed a sharp mind, a keen wit, and a generous disposition. He will be missed by family, friends, and the legal community."

Stack was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1960 and started his legal career in Tampa at McFarlane, Ferguson, and Kelly. Subsequently, Bud interviewed with Robert King High who was Mayor of Miami and a Gubernatorial candidate. They started the law firm High, Stack in 1962. They were joined by Edward B. Davis in 1964 and worked together until Davis accepted an appointment to the Federal District Court. Bud spent the remainder of his legal career as Senior Partner in the Miami and Melbourne law firms of High, Stack, Lazenby, and Palahach.

Mr. Stack achieved numerous honors and specialty memberships throughout his legal career. A partial list would include The Florida Bar, American Bar Association, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocates, Chairman of Florida Bar Legislative Committee, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and President's Council University of Florida. He was a founding member of the National Lawyers for Public Justice, a member of the Committee of 100 - AFTL, ALTA Diplomate, AFTL Diplomate, Chairman of the Florida Bar Legislative Committee (Eleventh Circuit), "M" Club, ATLA, President's Club of Florida State University, Roscoe Pound Foundation (Fellow), American Judicature Society, and U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society. Also, he served as a member of the ABA Committee on Products, General Liability and Consumer Law, ABA Trial Techniques Committee, University of Florida Trusler Society (Advocate), 75th Anniversary Club of the University of Florida College of Law, the University of Florida Law School Foundation, Law School Class Representative and member of the Campaign for Justice, Legal Services. Mr. Stack has also served on various governmental commissions. He was Chairman of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Nomination Commission, whose function is to screen applicants for judgeships for the Governor. He served on the United States District Court Peer Review Commission - Southern District of Florida, and A Better Constitution Committee (ABC).

He was admitted to practice in all Florida courts, the U.S. District Court Southern and Middle Districts, The Fourth, Fifth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the United States Supreme Court.

He has lectured to numerous legal associations and on several college of law campuses. He received recognition in several Who's Who publications, Florida Super Lawyers, and the Register of Preeminent Lawyers.

He served as a Chairman in the First Summit of the Americas held in Miami, Florida in 1994. The Declaration of Principles of this Summit established a pact for development and prosperity based on the preservation and strengthening of the community of democracies of the Americas. The leaders sought to expand prosperity through economic integration; to eradicate poverty and discrimination in the Hemisphere; and to guarantee sustainable development while protecting the environment.

At the peak of his career, Mr. Stack was selected by the President of the United States and nominated to serve as judge on the second highest court level in the nation - the U.S. Court of Appeals. Mr. Stack chose to withdraw his nomination and remained a senior Partner in his law firm. Later in life, he retired from his law career to spend more time doing what he enjoyed best, especially time spent with family and friends.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 am on Saturday, November 12that Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 50 West Strawbridge Avenue, Melbourne, Florida 32901.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to The Sam Asbury Foundation https://www.samasburyfoundation.org/ or Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, 90 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016; 646-681-4888 / 800-829-8289 www.bbrfoundation.org Gifts should be addressed as follows: In memory of Kevin Charles Stack.