HOME  ABOUT  ADVERTISING  RATINGS  ISSUES  SUBSCRIBE 

The sport of dogs loses a dear friend...

We recently learned about the passing of Bud Kramer.  Although we know age brings us closer to the final demise, it's never easy when it occurs and accepting loss takes much time.  We are unsettled and deeply saddened by this news.  Bud lived a long rewarding life and his friendship to the sport of dogs, F&F, and our family has been long and enriching.  Most of all we will miss his peaceful demeanor, subtle sense of humor, and delicate smile.  Bud spoke softly but his words carried a powerful, principled echo.  He was one of the nation's most influential advocates for the sport of dogs. It was Bud Kramer's intellect and advocacy that brought us the sports of Agility and Rally, which countless enjoy today.  We will always carry a deep respect for this gentleman of the sport and more expressions of his worth to our recreation will be forthcoming.  Bud's obituary follows.

Dr. Charles L. “Bud” Kramer

Dr. Charles L. “Bud” Kramer, age 91, of Manhattan, died Wednesday June 26, 2019 in Manhattan. He was born on April 4, 1928 in Leavenworth, Kansas the son of Charles F. and Mary (Chmidling) Kramer. He attended and graduated from Immaculata High School in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1946.

Bud served in the United States Army during the Krean War and was honorably discharged in 1952. He attended the University of Kansas receiving both a B.S. and PhD in biology. Upon graduation Bud spent one year at Western Illinois University as a professor in the biology department before he was hired by Kansas State University where he proceeded to spend the next 40 years as a professor of biology/mycology and researcher in the Department of Biology until he retired as professor emeritus in 1998. After retirement Bud continued to do research and study the effects of the wheat rust fungi in the Great Plains.

On July 6, 1951 in San Antonio, Texas, Bud was united in marriage to Velta Schreiber. She survives at their home in Manhattan, Kansas.

Bud and his wife, Vel,have been involved in dog training since 1963 and have been members of the Manhattan Kennel Club for over 50 years where Bud served as training director and taught training classes. He has trained and shown six different breeds of dogs in both obedience and breed. In August 1984 Bud began writing the first of a series of articles on dog agility and then wrote a book describing his concept of the sport. In 1987 that very same book won Bud the distinguished honor of of Dog Writer's Association of America award for Best Care and Training Book. In 1988 Bud and Vel established the first organized dog agility program in the United States, the National Club for Dog Agility (NCDA). The club certified judges, awarded titles and approved over 100 agility trials per year. Bud authored a quarterly newsletter for the club which eventually grew into a magazine, The Contact Line. Bud published this magazine for 8 years until his Dog Agility program was transferred to the United Kennel Club (UKC) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Bud's final mark in the world of dog training came when he conceived the basic concept of Rally Obedience in 2000. Rally-O as it came to be known was presented to the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2000 and was soon adopted by AKC as a non-regular event in 2003. In 2004 Bud transferred the rights to Rally-O to the American Kennel Club. Bud is considered by many to be the Father of Dog Agility.

Bud was a member of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan and attended Mass weekly.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marian.

In addition to his wife of almost 68 years, he is survived by his daughters, Lou Ann Claassen (Dale), of Manhattan, and Lisa K. Mancin (Mark), of Platte City, Missouri; and his grandchildren, Charles Tristan Mancin, Jordan Rose Mancin and Andrew Steven Mancin.

A Vigil Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday June 30, 2019 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel in Manhattan. The Family will greet friends following the Vigil on Sunday until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 1, 2019, at the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan, with Father Kerry Ninemire as Celebrant.

Interment will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Lansing, Kansas on Tuesday July 2, 2019.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Seven Dolors Catholic Church or the Manhattan Catholic Schools. Contributions may be left in care the Yorgensen-Meloan- Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.