Budd Eugene Busche

Budd E. Busche died peacefully on August 30, 2025 in Scottsdale, AZ at the age of 78. He is survived by his spouse of 50 years, Judi Busche, daughter Holly Cottor (Jonathan), sister Ginger Ard (Tony), grandson Ethan Cottor, brother-in-law Mark Axman, nephews Colin and Christopher Ard, niece Brooke Clark, and countless friends - including fellow Tucson Fire Department friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Robert and his youngest grandson, Ryan Cottor.
Budd loved sports and became involved in many throughout his life. When his family moved to Tucson in December of 1963, he continued in track and established new Palo Verde High School standards in both the high and low hurdles. Those standards stood firm (14.7 & 20.3 clockings in the high and low hurdles) until the units of measurement were updated to metric system measurements, giving him reason to pride himself in the sports world throughout his life.
Budd graduated from Palo Verde High School in 1965 and then the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in business. He later earned a Fire Science degree from Pima Community College.
Budd joined the Tucson Fire Department in 1971 and later advanced as an Engineer at Station 11 near the then Double Tree Inn. On days off, he and fellow firefighters focused on building homes, with Budd building 4 different homes for family life, and others for investments and friends, acting as their general contractor. Not only did Budd love his career as a firefighter, he was able to establish a pension for retirement and home-building was a lucrative second career. Once when his older brother Bob told him how lucky he was in life, he replied, "Yes! The harder I work, the luckier I get!" In addition to building houses, Budd rebuilt cars and airplanes, developed skills in many different construction areas and supervised many building projects with his two grandsons, Ethan and Ryan, in addition to helping friends whenever possible. He and another fellow fireman formed a business, Soar T, serving as specialists of aircraft recovery and transport. Budd obtained his private pilot's license in his early 20s and continued to own and fly various planes until his late 60s. He prided himself in obtaining his sea plane license as well. Budd retired from the Tucson Fire Department on June 1, 1997.
Budd and his family and friends enjoyed many camping, water skiing, and fishing trips to Arizona lakes, Lake Powell, Lake Ponderay in northern Idaho, and Alaska. They also enjoyed many snow skiing trips in Arizona, nearby states, northern Idaho and even in France. He and his wife, daughter, and friends also enjoyed scuba diving in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. Budd and Judi spent decades of summers in San Diego, CA and Hope, ID with Ginger and Tony (best friends & relatives), peaceful pooches and other family members while enjoying fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking, celebrating and relaxing on the dock at the Ard home in Hope, ID. Ginger and Tony, in addition to other friends, joined Budd and Judi on a number of cruises. The Raricks treated them to a once in a lifetime experience in Japan for an amazing golf tournament and where they met Tomoko's family and other friends. Holly, Jonathan, Ethan and eventually Ryan hosted them on trips to London, and German relatives hosted them several times in the Stuttgart / Munich areas. So much to see, do and master in life! Let's not forget about some of Budd's other passions: running (successful in completing a number of marathons), an avid motorcyclist rider (of course, he did have a fire fighter's Harley – fire engine red), NASCAR (Jeff Gordon, "It doesn't get any better than this!" and Jimmy Johnson), University of Arizona sports, hunting He was known for his kindness, helpfulness, caring, patience, and the love and devotion he shared with his wife, child, grandsons, family and friends. Judi adoringly referred to him as "my knight in shining armor!"
We will forever carry with us one of his mottos: "Anything worth doing is worth doing right!"
Another favorite motto: "He who dies with the most toys wins!" We think he was definitely a winner at several points in his life!
Here's a really interesting story that also demonstrates another of Budd's many unique qualities:
Budd was born September 16, 1946 in Lima, Ohio to birth parents Dr. Margaret Elizabeth Belt and Leslie Owen Fonkalsrud. His legal name was Leslie Owen Fonkalsrud, Jr. When his mom remarried and his step-father, Bill Busche, was adopting him, the judge asked Budd what name he wanted on his birth certificate. He quickly replied "Budd! That's what they call me!" His parents agreed, supplied the middle name "Eugene" and Budd has been Budd Eugene Busche ever since. Everyone agrees that Budd is the only person they have ever known who was able to choose their own name! A really unusual quality for one who already had so many amazing attributes.
From high school on, Budd's life was focused on Tucson, AZ. He loved being a part of the Tucson Fire Department. Budd's passions in life were numerous and he focused on sharing them with as many people as possible. He loved and cared for so many people! In memory of Budd, donations can be made to the "National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes," (NCPPCH.org); Ryan House (ryanhouse.org); Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (http//www.curesmsa.org) or Hospice of the Valley (hov.org). All of these organizations were dear to his heart and he would greatly appreciate your support.