Bud Engleman (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Bud Engleman, 94, of Bolivar, Mo passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Parkview Healthcare Facility in Bolivar, MO.
"Bud" was not his given name, but hardly anyone in Bolivar ever knew his real name. He earned by accident the name that stuck. His date of birth was even in dispute, due to a similar mix-up. He had two birth dates to commemorate throughout life, June 5 and June 7.
A native of Dunnegan and 1941 graduate of Fair Play High School, he was a member of the boys basketball team that played in the state basketball championship.
Bud was an Army Air Corp veteran of World War II, participating in more than 70 missions as a radioman in B-25 bombers. He completed a career in education that spanned 31 years, 22 of which were in the Bolivar R-1 school district as principal, acting superintendent, superintendent and finally as financial director, beginning in 1959 and ending in 1981.
After graduation from what was is now Missouri State University in Springfield in 1950, his education career began that same year in Niangua as a teacher. He moved to the Golden City school system to serve as coach and high school principal from 1952-55. He was high school principal at Pacific from 1955-57 and Stockton from 1957-59.
His first year as principal at Bolivar was with the Class of 1960 (1959-1960 school year). His bond with that class included Bolivar’s only boys state championship in basketball.
He also served as a Bolivar alderman, beginning with his election by the board in August 1983 to complete an unexpired term.
He was an active member of Bolivar First Baptist Church, along with his wife, Wilma Jane, who preceded him in death in February 2012. They were married Nov. 29, 1943, in Stockton.
Survivors include two daughters, Linda McBride and husband Dean of Pilot Point, Texas, and Pam Hard and husband John of Birmingham, Alabama; and a son, Alan Engleman and wife Ann of Nixa.
What’s your fondest memory of Bud?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bud?
Share a story where Bud's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bud you’ll never forget.
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