
Bob Budris

Bob Budris Passing
W
ith a heavy heart, I share the sad news of Bob Budris’ passing after a long battle with cancer. Donna, Bob’s wife, was by his side throughout this nightmare. Bob is succeeded by his wife and their grown children. No Ceremony or Remembrance is currently planned, and Donna requests that no flowers be sent.
Reflecting on the over forty years that I knew, worked closely with, and counted Bob as a close friend, flooded me with many memories of this fine man -- his integrity, his superb accounting/operational skills, his monster productivity, his teamwork, and his kindness and concern for fellow employees.
Many of you worked with Bob also experienced these traits as well. Besides letting you know of his passing, I am reaching out to you in an effort to create a collection of our thoughts for his family to have in Bob’s memory. If you, or anyone you know, have memories they would like to share about Bob or working with Bob, please forward them to this website. I will collect the responses (Memories) and forward them to Donna and the family.
Here are some of my thoughts on Bob’s outstanding work contributions and our long friendship:
Bob and I worked together at four companies: Hexcel Corporation’s Medical Division, Synvasive Technology, Thermage, and Clarity. Synvasive was a successful orthopedic medical device start-up. Thermage, another very successful-from the ground up - medical device start-up. And Clarity Medical Systems, our last effort, a great company and team that also should have been highly successful because of the size of the opportunity and the team’s performance. All of these were positively impacted by Bob’s incredible effort, skill and integrity!
Bob joined Hexcel, a New York Stock Exchange aerospace materials company, in late1981 or 1982 in their Medical Division as Head of Accounting/Division Controller. At that time, the division was a small, largely developmental, operating unit. I was Business Unit Manager, basically the head of commercial operations. One of the first things I remember Bob doing was going out, and on his “own dime,” purchasing one of the very first computers so that he could learn how computers worked and then automate our division’s accounting system! Up until that time, not only our division, but I believe, the parent corporation operated largely with a manual accounting system! Bob was the first!!
Synvasive was an innovative orthopedic surgical blade start-up with a proprietary blade design offering significant clinical benefits. When Bob and I joined this company, it had no real sales and no practical quality, accounting, or operating systems. It was technically bankrupt – it hadn’t made trade or payroll for 9 months and 6 months respectively. With herculean efforts, insightful strategies, and a lot of luck, Bob and the team managed to turn the company around so that thirteen months later, the operation had significant sales (a run rate in excess of $20 million), was profitable and ranked by Coopers & Lybrand in the top 100 fastest companies in Northern California (I believe it was rated number 4 in the top 100!!). Once again, Bob was a critical part of this success!
My memories of Bob at Thermage instantly went back to when Bob and I (employees number two and one) were setting up our first “official” office in an empty office building over by the San Mateo Bridge. As you would expect, we had subleased the office at a highly discounted rate! (The Company had just moved from my dining room table!) Next, of course, we needed to network our two laptops to a printer and then to a server. Bob somehow found Sal Kahn, which began a thirty plus year business and personal friendship with Sal and his brother, John (Arif)! Then we needed to figure out and set up an accounting system, insurance, H/R and retirement, taxes – so on and so on!! Bob jumped on each new challenge with boundless energy and his astute operational and accounting acumen as we scaled up the company for a public offering. The rest is history. Bob was in the thick of things, playing a major role as he always did. Bob was a workhorse of a man with mind blowing competence and productivity in his area of expertise and responsibility!
Clarity’s accounting department was already operational thanks to the work of Mike Napier and a finance person he had hired. Bob took that base and expanded our accounting system to match the significant growth in revenue and headcount. In addition, he added/expanded our healthcare/ retirement programs and developed a robust financial planning process!
Bob’s presence made a positive difference in each of these companies and in many of us who were fortunate enough to know and to work with this man! Most of all, I miss his subtle and knowing, ever-present smile and the twinkle in his eye!
God bless you, Bob!!
You can use this additional text box to add more stories about your loved one, tell about the family, share information about the funeral service, etc.
Me
Bob was a great teacher, and a great mentor. His patience and kindness had helped me grow in professional and personal life.
He had a knack of explaining a complex situation or concept, making it so clear and understandable.
He was generous with his time. You could ask him any questions because he wanted to help you grow.
He was always calm. His calmness made you feel we could handle any challenging situations.
He always smiled. His smile made you feel you can go to him with any problems you have and everything is going to be ok.
I will miss his smile.
Bob was a genuine colleague who always made a conversation worth the effort. They say try to be the best version of yourself and I believe Bob will be remembered fondly for making the effort to make the world a better place;) Peace be with you my friend.
…with Keith in August 2005. He was invited, in part, to assess me for the position I was exploring at Clarity Medical Systems. I spent the next 10 years working with Bob.
Throughout these years, I got to know Bob during work, at the many offsite happy hours, and annual company offsite planning meetings. I very much respected Bob as the controller and the man for his integrity, intelligence, competency, and work ethic (willingness to put in the hours nights, weekends, etc..) to support the team and company successes. He was a strong team member. With Bob, you knew where you stood - he was a straight shooter, no bullshit.
Though I did not keep in touch with Bob after I left Clarity, my memory of him has been—and will continue to be—a positive one. He was a decent man who will undoubtedly leave this world worse off in his absence.
I hope that Bob’s family can draw comfort from the memories of his coworkers and friends.
By Bob.......
In my lifetime, I have rarely come across a finer person than my longtime boss and dear friend, Bob Budris. He was the epitome of a gentleman—kind, helpful, and always professional.
At Clarity, we shared many breaks together, chatting about both business and life. His stories were always engaging and often amusing, leaving us with laughter and fond memories.
Bob’s presence was truly special, and he will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.
Also thank you, Keith for always standing up for the people that worked for you. You indeed are great person, a friend and best ever boss. Good bless you
He was exceptionally kind, fair, and supportive. What a tremendous loss. My best to all, and rest in peace Bob - I thank you.
provide guidance and counsel, helped me to be successful and bring value to the company.
My deepest condolences go out to Donna and the rest of Bob’s family for the loss of a great man.
Respectfully,
Mike
I remember fondly his subtle sense of humor ... and the twinkle in his eye- to me, he was Clarity's Santa Claus!
Rest in peace Bob.