Cornelius "Bud" Baden

At work, Bud was completely focused on the task at hand. He was stubborn, but it was that attitude that propelled him forward in his life. At home, Bud proved himself to be a loving and supportive father.

Though World War I began in 1914, the United States did not enter “The Great War” until the spring of 1917. All over the country, “I WANT YOU” posters urged thousands of young men to enlist in the fight. Cornelius Baden of Kalamazoo, Michigan, however, was not gearing up for war. Instead, he and his wife Annetta (Van Male) were busy preparing for the birth of their first child. Their son, Cornelius “Bud” Baden, was born February 22, 1917.

Bud was the oldest of three boys, and together the brothers grew up on Rock Ledge in Kalamazoo. Bud filled the “older brother” role well, freely bullying his little brothers and playing practical jokes on them at often as he could. Even as a child, Bud exhibited a dry sense of humor, an attribute that would stick with him throughout his life.

Bud’s father worked at Shakespeare Company, while his mother, who was a very gifted artist, took care of the family home. Bud started his education at Vine Street School. When the family moved to Rock Ledge, he transferred to Woodward School where he met another second grader, Fran Milliman. They began dating in the tenth grade.

Fran, in fact, was the one who initiated their first date. Bud had a car - a little gray roadster - and Fran needed a ride to the roller skating rink. That was the beginning of their courtship, but their relationship would be on and off again for the next couple of years. Bud, meanwhile, remained active in school activities. He was not athletic, but he enjoyed playing the Sousaphone (tuba) in the K-Central marching band.

After graduating from Kalamazoo Central in 1935, Bud and Fran both began attending Western Michigan University. Bud, however, had to leave school when his father became ill. To support his family, Bud began working for his uncle’s fertilizer business. Bud also worked at Firestone, Parchment Paper Company, Shakespeare Company, and retired from Eaton’s Truck Components following 20 years of service.

When Bud and Fran married, they moved into an apartment on East Main Street, finally settling on Wolf Drive in 1955. Bud served as general contractor for the home they built, which, upon completion, was also home to Dalmatian dogs, cats and horses. January of 2002 they moved to Saddle Brook Farms.

Bud eventually went back to school to complete his Bachelor’s Degree, which he earned from Western Michigan University in the early 1960s. During this time, Bud was also active in a variety of activities. He was a member of the Sea Scouts, a group that sailed boats in Gull Lake. He participated in the Civil Air Patrol as well and earned his private pilot license the same summer his daughter Jackie was born.

Flying was an obsession for Bud. He loved being able to share his passion with as many people as he could. Fran flew with him many times but decided it wasn’t her favorite pastime. That did not discourage Bud, who took his brothers and children for flights instead. He tried to do sport flying almost every night, but, if nothing else, he was sure to go every Sunday.

As the years passed, Bud grew more enthusiastic about building planes than actually flying them. He built two of his own home-built, experimental planes and enjoyed getting his grandchildren involved with the construction process. From time to time, Bud also volunteered at the Kalamazoo Air Museum doing restoration work.

Bud was active in the community in other ways as well. He was a life member of the Elks BPOE #50, where he served as Chairman of the Board for five years. He was Chairman of the Fire Board for Oshtemo Township too, and a charter member of the Golden K Kiwanis, where he served as president for two terms. Since the family owned four horses and enjoyed horseback riding, they were all members of Kal-Van Saddle Club. And, as if he was not busy enough, Bud also made time to volunteer at the Arthritis Foundation as often as he could.

Bud made the most of each day. He never took anything or anyone for granted. The friends and family who shared in Bud's life will always remember his ever present enthusiasm and love.

Cornelius Baden died October 7, 2004. He was preceded in death by his brother Thomas L. Baden and by a daughter-in-law Barbara Jeanne Baden. Members of Bud’s family include his wife Fran Baden of Kalamazoo; two children: Jacquelyn Baden (David Kleis) of Grand Haven; Skip (Mary) Baden of Portage; seven grandchildren: Stephen (Patty) Westfield of Spring Lake; Scott (Joni) Westfield of Grand Haven; David (Valerie) Baden of Lawton; Christopher (Dee) Baden of Pittsburg, PA; Andrew (Maritza) Baden of Pittsburg, PA; Tonja Iocca of Kalamazoo; Rob (Sharon) Van Dyke of Kalamazoo; eleven great grandchildren; a brother Garth (Eileen) Baden of Kalamazoo; a sister-in-law Sue Baden of Kalamazoo, a foster-son Richard Story of TX, and many nieces and nephews.

A Life Story Service will be held Monday 2:00 p.m. at the Mt. EverRest Chapel. Please visit Bud’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can share a favorite memory or make memorial donations to the Kalamazoo County Golden K Kiwanis, the Elks National Foundation or the Arthritis Foundation.