Beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother in-law and friend, Col. Bud Fandrich has left this earth to join his family that has already passed. Bud passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Divine Savior Hospital and is preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Alice, his father Charlie, his sister Alice, and his brother William (Bill). As a young man, Bud joined the Navy and served until 1946. He then served in the Naval Reserves until 1951. Upon returning from service to his country, he met Delores at his family's diner in Rio. They were married for over 63 years and had four children. Bud was a passionate cook, taught by his mother Alice, he loved sharing the art of cooking with family and friends. If you stopped by Col. Bud's house for breakfast, you didn't leave hungry. As a young married man he worked selling cars at Westfield Motors. Later he became an auctioneer, a career that would span over five decades. He never lost the passion to entertain with his auctioneering skills or the connection with clients he had gathered over the years, who followed him from sale to sale. People didn't really go just to buy things; they wanted to see Bud perform his uplifting skits of Crazy Guggenheim and Red Skelton. And of course, the fish in the water jug he drank from always rated at the top. Attendees were motivated to buy items and usually pay more than they were worth, just to keep the spirit of the sale moving forward. He was often called Col. Bud by his friends and was referred to as being "tough as nails" and "right as rain". As an antique expert, Bud branched out into the appraisal business, which became known as "Fandrich Auction & Appraisal. " Bud was a Sunday School Teacher, served on the Board of Elders at Saint John's Lutheran Church, the PTA, the Portage City Council as 4th Ward Alderman, and was an active member of the community for many years. Muskie fishing became a favorite pastime. He spent many years chasing after the в??Big One" and occasionally fell out of the boat when things didn't move fast enough for him. Some of his fondest memories were attending the Hodag Muskie Tournaments with his two sons, fishing trips to Canada, and teaching all his children and grandchildren how to fish. He enjoyed relaxing visits to his farm, checking the crops and watching wildlife. Bud was always there for anyone who needed help and gave what he could to make things better for his fellow man. A stranger passing was never a stranger, just a new person to meet and get to know. He loved his relatives and church, valuing what they offered and in exchange doing what he could for them. The family would like to thank Divine Savior Nursing Home (Tivioli) and their outstanding staff for providing Charles with so much comfort and joy in his final years. Special thanks also to Doctor Brenda Blohm for her wonderful bedside manner and her ability to make the best of every situation. Our father was larger than life, caring for and befriending everyone. He leaves behind his beloved wife Delores, four children, eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and countless friends. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Portage, with Pastor Alan Boeck officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at the Bonnet Prairie Cemetery, Rio. Friends may call on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Picha Funeral Home in Portage and at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Service Details.