Frank Van Deman

Frank Leslie Van Deman III, passed away peacefully in his sleep, March 19, 2021. Bud was born on September 23, 1922, to Frank Leslie Van Deman Jr, and Francis Tantum Van Deman, in New Jersey.
Bud spent his childhood in Long Island and Binghamton New York, before moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1939. During his time at Whitefish Bay High School, Bud was VP of his class, Prom King, Wisconsin State Champion for the 440-yard dash and the mile relay. He also lettered in Football, Basketball and Track receiving the coveted "All Sports "letter. He loved his high school days and had many lifelong friends from those days.
Bud went on to Purdue University, and ran track for Purdue. He was very proud to represent Purdue in the Big Ten Relays. He would joke that he lined up in the lane next to University of Michigan's Bob Ufer, who had recently set the world record for the 440 relays. Bud said he shook Bob's hand before the race, and then Bob left him in the dust!
July 1, 1943 Bud joined the Navy and served as a Navy Seaman. He served during and after WWII for 3 years.
After the war, he married his high school and college sweetheart, Mary Gwyn Schwab in 1947. Together they had 3 children, Frank Leslie "Lee" Van Deman IV (Barb), Martha Gwyn "Marcie" Scholl (Karl) and Elizabeth Ruth "Betsy" Bean (Al).
In 1960, after Mary's unexpected and sudden death, Bud married a widower, Jessica Lee Thomas Christy, who had 2 children, Anne Hampton Christy (Stan) and Thomas Joseph Christy (Shelley).
Bud spent his entire career in sales, with Remington Rand, later Sperry Rand. His career took him to Florida in the late 1960's. He was so proud to work his entire career for 100% commission. He often said he wouldn't have had it any other way.
Bud loved to be outside, and was an avid golfer, a member of the hole in one club, scuba diver, boater and fisherman. He loved to fish with his father and was so proud of the sailfish they caught together.
Bud moved to Birmingham Alabama in November of 2004 and has spent his last 16 years in Independent Living at Kirkwood By the River. He loved to bake cookies for his "lady friends" at Kirkwood and often made weekly deliveries of cookies to skilled nursing. It was at Kirkwood, that Bud met Richard Hanna, Presbyterian minister, who led Bud in his faith. Bud was so proud to wear his head usher lapel pin every week at church.
Bud remained active and independent until his death, always with a sense of humor. He loved a practical joke and was honest and loyal to all.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Francis Van Deman, his sister Doris Ruth Lange, and both of his wives, Mary Gwyn Schwab Van Deman and Jessica Lee Christy Van Deman.
Bud is survived by his sister, Susan Van Deman Spellman of Amelia Island. His Sister-in- law, Kathryn Schwab of Reno. His 5 children, son Frank Leslie IV and wife Barb of Virginia Beach, VA; His daughter Martha Gwyn Scholl and husband Karl of Tampa, FL; his daughter Betsy Bean and husband Al of Birmingham, His stepdaughter, Anne Christy and husband Stan of Toronto, Canada, and his stepson Tom Christy and wife Shelley of Scottsdale Arizona. 12 Grandchildren, Rebecca Saha (Dip), Jennifer Fodden, Jason Christy, Lindsey Klemens (Larry), Meg Christy, Frank Leslie Van Deman V (Stephanie), Kelsie Van Deman, Karl Scholl III( Katrina), Eric Scholl (Allison), Bert Bean (Anna), Matt Bean (Caylen), and Sissy Green (Daniel). 28 Great Grand-children: Jack Saha, Asha Saha, Mia Saha, Josie Fodden, Brock Christy , Alec Klemens, Clark Klemens, Kate Christy, Claire Christy, Izzie Van Deman , Frank Leslie VI "Levi" Van Deman, Kai Scholl, Kaleb Scholl, Gwyn Scholl, Sophia Scholl, Chloe Scholl, Alex Scholl, Ellie Bean, Will Bean, George Bean, Lucy Bean, Lucas Bean, Edie Bean, Sims Bean, Henry Green , Archie Green, Walt Green ,and Bert Green
There will be a small service at Kirkwood By the River, Birmingham AL 35210 at 2:00pm Tuesday March 23, with Rev Richard Hanna presiding. Burial will be this summer, at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield Wisconsin.