Robert Nelson (Bud) Ekstrum, Jr. passed away on July 7, 2010.  He was survived by his wife of 47 years, Sheilah McHugh, who was our classmate through our junior year, when she transferred to Minnetonka High School to complete her senior year.  Bud and Sheilah were longtime friends through our school days.  They continued to date through college, and they married following Bud's college graduation in 1963.  Sheilah remained Bud's livelong partner and best friend.  They had 3 children: Robert III, Michael, and Jolene.  Bud is survived also by five granddaughers: Shania, Chloe, Meg, Olivia and Brenna; a brother Richard and other nieces and nephews.

Bud Ekstrum was a successful businessman.  He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and worked initially for Investors Diversified Services, Inc., as a software developer.  He stayed at IDS for 25 years, during which he and Sheilah raised their 3 children.  In 1987 Bud joined and bought into a small firm called CMS Direct and built the company to over 130 employees.  He retired several years ago as Vice President of Technology, chosing to spend more time on the golf course and puttering around with his hobbies. 

Bud was a member of the US Army Reserve, stationed at Fort Snelling.  He was on active duty in Texas and Arizona is his early years in the military.  He devoted many hours and years of time to the BPOE of Hopkins, MN, serving in all official positions, becoming Exalted Ruler (president) in 1980-81 and then serving on the board of trustees for 5 additional years.  He had the pleasure of giving scholarships to many graduating seniors in his community of Minnetonka, and additionally a couple of graduates of St. Louis Park Senior High School. 

Bud was always a little "miffed" that someone unknown to him had said in our Echowan, in a caption under his name, that "Ambition means nothing to me."  Throughout his life he meant to prove, and did, that his life with Sheilah as packed full of ambitious happenings and a string of successes.