Mr. Lloyd “Bud” Koehnke

A resident of Orlando, Florida has passed away at the age of 89. Bud was husband to Judy for 61 years. The father of 3, grandfather of 6, and a great grandfather of 2. A great man and a great father.

Bud was born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, graduating from Appleton HS in 1950.

After high school graduation, Bud pursued a professional baseball career. He signed his first professional contract with the Saint Louis Browns organization, later to become the Baltimore Orioles (as a pitcher) out of a local tryout camp. He would later go on to sign a contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.

After suffering a dislocated shoulder while playing outfield, which would eventually end his 5-year minor league career, Bud returned to Appleton to work for the Appleton Recreation Department.

From 1956-1966 Bud was Assistant Recreation Director under Duke Groover. Upon retirement of Groover, Bud was appointed Appleton Recreation Director in 1966. Bud would go on to be Recreation Director for the City of Appleton for the next 17 years, working a total of 26 years for the city of Appleton.

With the recreational department under direction of Bud Koehnke the Appleton sports scene exploded. Through Bud’s direction and leadership Appleton would be introduced to multiple new programs and expanded activities. With adult softball as an example, when Bud became recreation director in 1966 there were 43 adult softball teams. Under Bud’s direction, by 1980 there were over 260 men’s and women’s softball teams playing in Appleton.

But softball was not the only game in town, if people wanted an athletic event to play and a place to play it Bud Koehnke would make it happen. Under Bud’s leadership, Appleton would be introduced to T-League baseball and girls’ softball, Pop Warner Football, adult and youth soccer, adult and youth hockey, tennis lessons that had waiting lines for enrollment, skating rinks in every park in town, Winter Carnival at Jones Park for hockey and skate races, city wide summer playground programs that were open to every boy and girl in town under the age of 18. It didn’t stop there, tap dancing, jazz dance, baton twirling lessons, and a yearly dance recital for all participants was one of Bud’s proudest accomplishments.

Bud’s leadership also led to the re-construction of Erb Park and Mead Park outdoor pools, plus all swimming lessons and summer swim programs. Bud was also driving the face behind the development of Badger pool at Appleton West High School.

With the explosion of all recreation programs under Bud’s direction and an eye to the future, Bud was instrumental in convincing the City of Appleton to build Memorial Park. The original design and construction of Memorial Park were in great part the vision and dedication of Bud Koehnke.

But maybe one of Bud’s proudest accomplishments was overseeing Goodland Field for the City of Appleton. Built during the Depression, Bud took great pride in developing Goodland Field into one of the best Class A professional baseball fields in the country. From the addition of new lights, superior clubhouses, and an excellent playing field, Goodland Field was recognized multiple times as the best of the Midwest League. Bud also allowed Goodland Field to be used for Appleton East and Xavier Hs Football, Pop Warner Football, and men’s touch football.

The list of professional accomplishments in the City of Appleton are unmistakably long. Maybe this is no better stated then the three Red Smith awards, 1968, 1980, and 1997 for Outstanding Contributions to Local Sports. Bud Koehnke did his utmost to provide every opportunity for every man, woman, and child that was looking to participate in any athletic or recreation department activity.

In 1982 Bud and his family moved to Orlando, Florida. Bud was hired by the Minnesota Twins to be the Head Groundskeeper at Tinker Field in Orlando. Tinker Field was the Spring Training Complex and Double A summer home for the Twins. After two years with the Twins, Bud was approached by Osceola County, Florida to develop and oversee the constructions of a new spring training complex in Kissimmee, Florida for the Houston Astros. In 1991 STMA would award Bud Koehnke and Osceola County Stadium with the Professional Field of the Year. Bud would be Head Groundskeeper at Osceola County Stadium until his retirement in 1994. Before his retirement, Bud would also be involved in the construction of Poinciana HS FL. Baseball field. Because of his tireless work to the project the field is named Lloyd “Bud” Koehnke Field.

In retirement, Bud enjoyed traveling all parts of the country. Bud and Judy would also make an annual trip back to Appleton to visit family and friends. Bud also enjoyed playing golf and playing senior softball. One of his biggest joys was following the progress of all his grandchildren in school and in their athletic progress. The joy on his face while watching a baseball game, a hockey game, or knowing the fun his grandkids were having in the participation was inescapable.

Besides a professional baseball career, and the Recreation Director for the City of Appleton, Bud Koehnke will be remembered as arguable the greatest handball player in the city’s history. A fierce competitor who taught himself the game in the handball court that was in Appleton West HS. Bud was assigned to the handball court because he refused to go to dance class as a student. If you ever needed to find Bud Koehnke all you had to do was be at the Lawrence College handball courts between noon and 1pm. There he would be playing a game of cut-throat with Gene Davis, Carl Stumpf, and Ken Anderson to name a few.

For over 20 straight years Bud Koehnke won the Appleton City Singles Handball Tournament. The list of Handball tournaments won by Bud is remarkable. Multiple State of Wisconsin singles and doubles titles, the doubles titles were often with partner Ken Anderson. Dozens and dozens of regional tournaments across the entire Midwest were yearly won by Bud. The Red River Classic in Fargo, ND and the St. Paul MN. Winter Carnival are just to name a few of the handball tournaments he has won.

Major Handball Tournaments are also on the Bud Koehnke resume.

In back-to-back years Bud won the US National Doubles championship with two different partners. Bud’s first title came with partner Bert Dinkin and the following year he partnered with Ray Neveau.

Bud won back-to-back Canadian National singles titles, plus a Canadian National Doubles title.

Arguably one of Buds proudest moments was winning the 1975 National Invitational singles title in Birmingham, Alabama. He accomplished this as an unseeded player.

Handball was not Bud’s only sport for enjoyment. After the professional baseball career ended Bud continued to play semi pro baseball with the Southside Athletic Club and the Menasha Macs. He also enjoyed a career in fast pitch softball with Subway Bar, Ponds Sport Shop, Bleier’s Bar, and Jack Rose Hill. With Jack Rose Hill Bud participated in three I.S.C. World Softball Championships across the country.

Bud is survived by his wife of 61 years and never-ending partner Judy. His daughter Kris (Jay) Schroeder, Appleton, WI. Son Brandon, Cleveland, OH. Son Randall (Amanda) Koehnke Longwood, FL. His Grandchildren Chris (Nikki) Hein, Seattle, WA. Cassie (Mike) Curry Appleton, WI. Brent (Annie) Schroeder, Madison, WI. Connor Koehnke, Columbus, OH. Nate and Matthew Koehnke, Longwood, FL. Great Grandchildren Oliver and Sigmund Hein, Seattle, WA.

Surviving sisters are Helen Drier and Delores Larson. Surviving brother is Lowell (Skip) Koehnke and his wife Jane Koehnke. Surviving sister in law Jill (Mike) Wildenburg.

Proceeding Bud in death are infant daughter Kari Lynn, his parents Lloyd and Mable Koehnke, Father and Mother in law Stanley and Elsie Kreuter, Brother in law Carl Larson, Brother in law Milt Drier, Sister in law and husband Janice and Neil Laflin.

A celebration of life to honor Bud Koehnke will be held in Appleton later in 2022 for friends and family. Please keep Bud in your thoughts and prayers.

“Bud, after knowing you and loving for 64 years God has called you home. Sleep peacefully my love, Judy”