Bud Letassy, 90, a long-time resident of Poplar Bluff, died Sept. 16, 2018. Born in Joliet, Ill. to Joseph and Cecilia Gonda Letassy, immigrants from present day Slovak Republic, Bud was the youngest of four sons. He attended Saint Cyril and Methodius Slovak Catholic Grade School, graduated from Joliet Township High School, 1947 and Joliet Junior College, 1949. He served in the army during the Korean conflict, stationed in Fort Chaffee (Arkansas) where he was assigned as a hospital laboratory technician. While stationed, he met and married Sallye Turner of Fort Smith, Ark. in 1954. After his release from the army, he attended St. Louis College of Pharmacy, earning a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy and a master's degree in pharmacy manufacturing focusing on the reformulation of common liquid medication dosage forms. After completing his pharmacy education, Bud moved his family to Poplar Bluff to work in local hospital and community pharmacies until 1981 when he opened his own business, Letassy Pharmacy.
Bud had many interests and talents. He was fluent in Slovak and German and conversant in Russian, Czech, and Polish. He used his linguistic skills when he traveled with family on trips to Czechoslovakia. He loved to travel in the US and abroad visiting Spain, the Galapagos, Australia, New Zealand, and the Cotswold's in England. He studied the art of painting with Margaret Harwell under Harry Crain. As a hobby he painted in watercolor, oil, and acrylic. He won first place for an oil painting of a poppy bouquet and received honorable mentions for the paintings Grist Mill at George Washington Crossing and an Evening Lake scene. He loved Boy Scouting, serving as a scout leader for son David's troops. He was proud to receive the Order of the Arrow as an adult. He took his troops to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and to the National Jamboree in Idaho, 1974. He was very proud to see his son, David, earn his Eagle Scout award. Bud loved gardening and maintained a garden until he died. He could grow anything including flowers, vegetables, berries, grapes, fruit trees, gourds, and more uncommon items like popcorn, rhubarb, sugar beets, and kohlrabi. He became a master gardener volunteer teaching others about learning to grow. He loved bird watching and attracting purple martins, and gold finches to his property. Lastly, Bud was an avid sports fan and passionate about the Three Rivers Raiders Basketball program. He never missed a home game. He traveled to Hutchinson, Kan., to see the Raiders compete and win in the NJCAA National Division I tournament in 1979 and 1992.
Bud is preceded in death by his wife Sallye, his parents, and three brothers, Steve, Louis, and Joseph. He is survived by his children Nancy Letassy of Arcadia, Okla. (husband Mark Britton), Susan Letassy, David Letassy (wife Carla), Stephanie Letassy, all of Poplar Bluff, and grandchildren Cameron Britton (wife Anna Claire) of Oklahoma City, Bannus Chaudoin and Sagan Chaudoin of Denver, and Erin Chaudoin of Denton, Texas.
At the time of his death, Bud, prearranged to have his whole body donated to a College of Medicine to be used for educational purposes in the instruction of medical students. His body was received by the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Mo. His remains will be interred with his family in Joliet, Ill. when his service to the school is through.
The family requests memorial donations in Bud's honor be directed to the following organizations in Poplar Bluff, MO 63901: Poplar Bluff Public Library, 318 N. Main St,, the Margaret Harwell Art Museum, 421 N. Main St., or the Master Gardening Club in c/o the University of Missouri Extension office, 614 Lindsay Suite 3. A celebration of Bud's life will be held for family and friends on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Kinyon School gym, 910 Vine St. in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Paid