Rudyard ""Bud"" Loose

Rudyard “Bud” Loose, 91, died peacefully at his daughter’s home in Littleton, Colorado on April 6th. Bud was born September 1, 1926 in Humbolt, Kansas to Dr. Frank E. and Dorthea W. Loose. Bud grew up in several small Kansas towns and graduated from Newton High School in 1944. Bud was the epitome of the ‘Greatest Generation’. Immediately following graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Seabees (Naval Construction Force) and deployed to the western Pacific. He was part of the WWII island-hopping campaign to defeat Japan, building runways, fuel and logistic depots, and support facilities and he participated in the invasion of Okinawa. After the war was over, he returned home to Newton, Kansas. But Bud missed the Navy and rejoined as an Electronics Technician. He was assigned to several ships and some remote, isolated locations. On June 25, 1951, he married his soulmate, Loretta Russell. They, accompanied by their children, moved to assignments in Albuquerque, N.M.; Fort Campbell, KY; Yorktown, VA; Washington, DC; Naval Station San Miguel and Transmitter/Receiver Site Tarlac in the Philippines; San Diego, CA; and Argentia, New Foundland. Bud did two deployments on the aircraft carrier Oriskany during the Vietnam war. He had a distinguished Navy career progressing from the most junior enlisted rank to Lieutenant Commander and his assignments included Officer in Charge and later Commanding Officer. Bud retired from the Navy in Argentia, New Foundland in August 1969 and then the family moved to Newton, Kansas. Bud, as an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and fisherman always dreamed of living in Colorado. After two years in Newton, they moved to Cory, Colorado so he could be near the Grand Mesa and its many lakes. He enjoyed many different jobs after the Navy, including working for the Delta County Government. Later, he and Loretta started/ran their own, very successful small business. Loretta passed away on November 14, 1993. In August 2008, Bud moved to Littleton to live with his daughter, Sheila, and her husband, Harley. Bud was a man of exceptional strength, character, moral courage, and integrity. He deeply loved America, the Navy, his family, and his special friends. He touched and enriched many lives in the Navy and they continued to call and visit him long after he retired. He really enjoyed spending time with his family and telling his Navy ‘sea stories’ and reliving the family’s adventures, always sprinkling in humor and some mentoring, coaching, and teaching moments. He will be greatly missed. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Loretta, Bud is survived by his son, Mike (wife Carol); his daughter, Sheila (husband Harley); and his son, Mark (wife Nancy); five grandchildren: Jason, Robin, Chris, Danny (wife Trulie), and Kyle; and three great grandchildren: Hunter, Katlyn, and Hailey. His burial with full Military Honors will be at the Cory, Colorado Cemetery at a date to be determined.