Bud Vandersnick

Bud Vandersnick, the gentle man with a stridently positive attitude and an encyclopedic knowledge of sports and politics, has died. He was our own google. Bud, formerly of Atkinson, passed away in his beloved city of Phoenix, AZ, at the age of 66. He held degrees in journalism and business from the University of Iowa and Southern Illinois University. He was a fine journalist, which included sports reporting and editing copies of world events and sports. Bud was proud to be on the staffs of the Greenville News, Scottsdale Progress, Phoenix Gazette, and the Moline Dispatch – where he had over 42 years. Bud also worked for 25 years at the Arizona Republic. Even after retirement, he often used the phrase, “We’re not on a deadline here!” Though he led a simple life, Bud was not a simple man. He was a role model for those facing horrific diseases, and he carried himself with dignity and grace. He survived eight different cancers over a lifetime, and he never gave up. He loved his family, the Phoenix Suns basketball team, cats, and jazz music… possibly in that order. Bud always saw the humor in life. He loved, and is loved, by his family: wife, Jackie Weatherby, Brent, Lindsey, Logan, and Ethan Weatherby, siblings, Herb and Maribeth Vandersnick, Harold (deceased) and Kathy Vandersnick, Sandy and Gary Sturtewagen, Sally DeDecker, many nieces and nephews, and Molly the cat. His parents were Regina and Arthur Vandersnick of Atkinson. Let us honor and support our journalists for they are the protectors of the truth. Please, if you can, give to cancer research and Hospice of the Valley.