Bud Oetjen

August A. Oetjen Jr., affectionately known as "Bud", 91, of Hyde Park died peacefully on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at The Baptist Home in Rhinebeck. He passed holding his son's hands after listening to his beloved wife earlier in the day tell him hours of stories of their life together.
Born November 6, 1931, in Poughkeepsie, he was the son of August A. Oetjen Sr. and Eleanor Devine Decker. Following his parents' divorce, his stepmother, Beatrice Oetjen, and stepfather, Leslie Decker, came into his life. His in-laws, Raymond and Dorothy Joyce were 2nd parents to Bud for much
of his life.
Bud graduated from F.D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, where he was a multi-sport athlete. He played baseball, basketball, track, and was proud to be part of the school's Championship Football Team.
He proudly served in the United Sates Naval Reserves.
Mr. Oetjen worked at IBM, Poughkeepsie for over thirty years until his retirement. One to never be afraid of work, he also worked part-time at the Park Beverage Discount in Hyde Park, and in his later years, he delivered prescriptions for the former Molloy Pharmacy in Hyde Park.
Bud was a member of Poughkeepsie Elks BPOE #275, and played in several adult baseball, golf, and softball leagues over the years. Golf was Bud's favorite sport, especially as he got older. He was proud to be a founding member of the "Over The Hill Gang" at College Hill Golf Course, same place he carded a hole-in-one on the ninth hole. Bud was always known for his joke telling and big sense of humor.
He met the love of his life in high school, the former Joan A. Joyce. They married on May 6, 1951, in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Poughkeepsie. This May would have been their 72nd wedding anniversary. Mrs. Oetjen survives at home.
In addition to his wife, Bud is survived by his daughter, Penny Oetjen-Simmons and husband, Phil Simmons; and son, Duane Oetjen and wife, Becky.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Janeen, Jamie, Andrew, Ria, Karl, and Emily; great grandchildren, Tyler, Trista, Brianna, Braidan, Joseph, Alida, Lana, Evelyn, and August; sister-in-law, Barbara Joyce; and many special nieces and nephews.
Bud was predeceased by his daughter, Kristine Oetjen in 2009; great grandson, Trevor Sonnenberg in 2019; and brother-in-law, Raymond Joyce Jr.
In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place.
Memorial calling hours will be from 11 AM – 2 PM, Sunday, April 30th at Sweet's Funeral Home, Rte. 9, Hyde Park.
The Oetjen family respectfully requests memorial donations to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704
Hagerstown, MD 21741. (www.cancer.org)
To send an online condolence, or for directions, please visit Bud's obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.