- Date Of Birth: September 22, 1934
- Date Of Death: October 10, 2014
- State: Colorado
Merlin John “Bud” Emch, 80, of Denver, passed away on October 10, 2014, at Sunrise at Pinehurst, where he resided the past two and a half years.
Bud was born on September 22, 1934 in Perrysburg, Ohio, to Jacob and Clara (Brocke) Emch. He was the youngest of four children and grew up working on the family farm.
Bud attended Perrysburg High School, received his Bachelor of Arts from Colorado State College (Greeley, CO), in 1958, and Masters of Business Administration from Auburn University (Montgomery, AL), in 1973.
Earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Bud was a member of the US Air Force for twenty-two years. During his commission, he was a veteran of the Vietnam War, served as an Electronic Warfare Officer, and Fighter Weapons Specialist F-4 “Wild Weasel”.
In his free time, Bud was interested in nature photography, painting, woodworking, and enjoyed reading, watching the news and engaging in political discussions. He is remembered for his great sense of humor, being the consummate gentleman, and his love of sitting and having good conversation. In college, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.
He is survived by his daughter Melinda of Centennial and son, Kevin (Tara) of Evergreen, grandson Jack, and step-grandchildren Morgan and Brooke Phillips. Also surviving him are his sister Dorotha (Don) Franze of California, and brother, Robert “Bob” of Denver, and many nieces and nephews. Carla Emch Blake, former wife and good friend of Bud, also survives him. Preceding him in death was his sister Evelyn Mollenkopf of Perrysburg.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the members of Sunrise at Pinehurst for their dedication and quality care.
