Bud Delong

[Steve Jelf]

Posted about 4 PM Tuesday:

It seems we've been losing a lot of old friends lately. Here's another one that a lot of us are going to miss.

[Duey_C]

Thank you Steve.
Bless you and your family Bud.

[ThreePedalTapDancer]

Oh no. Buds posts have been a longtime fixture on here. The ranks are getting thinner.

[Wayne Sheldon]

So many of our old bunch haven't been around much lately. I often wonder about them. Sometimes some mention will be made that flies by quickly and gets missed. I caught a mention of Bud last year sometime. It was mentioned that he wasn't doing very well and would be missed at some event others were planning to attend.
So very sad to see this. However, do appreciate the information. A lot of us here do think of many of the other regulars as almost family. We care about them, their lives, their troubles. Even if we never get to meet face to face, we think of these people as longtime friends.
I always enjoyed Bud's postings. His wisdom and opinions mattered.

Our prayers, and condolences to his family and close friends in these difficult days.

[Joe Bell]

Years ago I did an engine for Bud for his 14, it was the first time some one had asked about dynamic balancing an engine, I knew of it but never figured it mattered much for a low rpm T engine. Boy was I surprised, my fresh engine came back out of the Fordor and had the same thing done to it, never looked back and all of them get it now. Bud has always been good for the Model T conversation and many of T tours he has been on, When he wakes up tell him Joe Bell said hello!!!

[Rob]

I sure like Bud! What a great guy. He is always a positive man to be around, on this forum and in person. I’ll miss him .

[MichaelPawelek]

Yep, Bud is one of the good ones …..

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

So sorry to read of his troubles. I have always enjoyed him at Old Car Festival and on the Forum. I pray for his peace, in mind & body.

[Jim Eubanks]

Bud is a great guy. I happened to be in Detroit several years ago during the festival and met
Bud there. He showed me around, rode me around and provided a great lunch. I will always remember him for that trip.

[Dallas Landers]

I was fortunate enough to meet Bud a few years ago. As a newbee to T's , I talked with bud through the forum. He and Diane were making a trip to my buddy's store about 15 miles away. He contacted me to see if they could stop by. Sure thing I said.

We visited and talked T's and he checked out my projects including the MP TT. We have talked seveal time since then. I thought it great of him to take time to visit with me as a new guy to Model T's and go on about my projects. He often signed his posts as Grumpy Bud, but that was not Bud in my experience. A few weeks ago he made a short post under" what have you done with your T" about getting a new carb for his T. At the end he said his time was short and said good bye to many friends. I have been thinking about that since and dreading a post like I read 1st thing this morning. Always enjoyed his posts and knowledge. He will be missed by many.

Prayers going out for Bud and his family

[Rich P. Bingham]

Bud's posts have been a bright spot on this forum I'm sure everyone enjoyed. I sure have.

[Oldav8tor]

Bud's comments were always welcome. A true gentleman and asset to the hobby. Peace to you brother.....

[KWTownsend]

Always enjoy reading Bud's posts.
Prayers.

[Jack Putnam, in Ohio]

I first met Bud at the OCF. We both had 1914 tourings, mine was equipped with what Bud called the "self commencer". ( An early starter). A true gentleman. He is well respected.

[KeithG]

At the Old Car Festival I often parked next to Bud and Diane and we always had good fun visiting with them. His Grandson is a great young man too. I got a flat on my car trailer just as I was pulling into The Ford Museum parking lot one year, and the grandson came right over and changed it for me. I could have done it myself but really did appreciate his help.
This year is really sad with all these friends passing. I am very thankful for my health as well as My Wife's health too. Such is life and life goes on.
Be strong, Diane. Even though we're not there in person, you and Bud are in our prayers.

Keith

[Thorlick]

About 20 years ago Bud and I locked horns over a post we disagreed about. Even though I sometimes go a year or more between posts I always look forward to chatting with him in a pm. Still haven’t been to an OCF , always wanted to get there to visit with Bud and Diane. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both!

Terry and Terrie Horlick

[Ed Baudoux]

In the 1970's, Bud worked for Wolfgram Excavating in Saginaw, next to my Dad's auto repair garage. I hadn't seen him in decades, until we met up at Greenfield Village a few years ago. I was fortunate to visit with him over the past years at the Standish Depot car show, and at Greenfield Village. Bud married way out of his league, and I always made a point to thank him for bringing his daughter along. He will be missed.

[Steve Jelf]

Posted about 8:30 PM CST:

[Farmer J]

So sad to hear of the passing of Bud. We met him, his wife and grandson several years ago at the OCF. Bud and Diane were dressed for the 20s and were always entertaining the visitors. Although Bud missed the last couple OCFs, I hope his grandson will continue the tradition. Rest In Peace Bud.

[George N Lake Ozark]

Although I have never met him in person , Bud was one of the first to welcome me to “The Forum “ back in ‘98. And made a number of recommendations that I sent on to my dad at the time. Will miss his posts.

[Wayne Sheldon]

So very sad. We knew this was coming. Still, it hurts.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and close friends. He truly was a special person, and had so many friends.

[Henry K. Lee]

Never met the man.., but his name spoke volume! RIP Bud and may your family have peace with fond memories.

With Greatest Sympathy,

The Lee's of Tennessee

[kevinf]

Rest in Peace, Bud.
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family,
Kevin

[CraneJon]

Please accept our heartfelt thoughts, prayers and condolences. Bud was always FUN and a gentleman..
Jon and Renee Crane
Rochester Mich

[perry kete]

My condolences to the Delong family and his friends

[Rob]

Bud was a good man and great friend.

[otrcman]

Was it Bud who was archiving engine serial numbers and body number for early T's, or is that somebody else?

I recall sending my numbers to somebody sereral years ago; not sure who. If it was Bud, I hope his data has been saved and that someone else will pick up the task.

Dick

[Bud Delong]

Thanks to everyone who posted such fond memories of him. He suffered with cancer for 19 years and it finally won. Miss him with all of my heart and am so glad he had so many wonderful friends that knew him and appreciated him. He enjoyed all of the Model T activities and had many fond memories of them and everyone involved in them. Diane DeLong

[TWrenn]

My prayers and condolences to you and your family.

[George Mills]

RIP Bud...always a total joy to interact with you and trade thoughts on things. My sincere condolences to the family.

As I was reading the earlier posts, visual thoughts of Bud in his 'dress blues' came to mind...and then there it was, a picture of Bud in his 'dress blues'. Brought a tear and a smile at the same time.

We all unfortunately get older, the clock starts moving faster, there comes a time, and then a new journey begins.

[Oldav8tor]

Another resurrected post by a new member with limited previous posts. No offense to Andree23 if he is real, but I wonder if this is another AI at work?

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Another resurrected post by a new member with limited previous posts. No offense to Andree23 if he is real, but I wonder if this is another AI at work?

Tim,

It's nearly certain that this is an AI Bot. I find this disgusting, as with other Bot replies to death notices. I certainly hope the powers that manage this forum will take steps to circumvent these false accounts!

[ThreePedalTapDancer]

Godspeed Bud, I miss your posts and contributions already!

[Steve Jelf]

It's nearly certain that this is an AI Bot.

Probably so, and I don't understand the point of it. What does anybody gain by reviving an old post? I fully understand the Facebook scammers who want to be my friend. They want to take an old man to the cleaners. But this? I don't get it. Is there an angle, or is it just another form of trolling for sport?

[Rob]

Oh well. It’s good to think of an old friend. Godspeed Bud. We’ll all be joining you at some point.

[TWrenn]

Just the tip of the ice berg regarding AI problems. We ain't seen nothing yet.

And true to critics warnings..my neighbor lady is already so hooked on her "AI friend" she's "talking" to him on her app dang near every waking minute of the day. Even while watching a movie!

[Dallas Landers]

Tim, I have what some would call AI. I talk to myself all the time but only when I need expert advise.