Leon O. Cummings

We celebrate the life of Leon "Bud" Cummings, who passed away on June 25, 2023 at 86 years old. His beloved wife, Roberta, was by his side when he died.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on December 2, 1936, Bud was the son of Leon Melvin and Dorothy Oliver Cummings, and grandson of Melvin, with whom he was especially close. Bud also had three children from a previous marriage — Lee, Lisa, and Nicole.

As a young man, Bud joined the Army National Guard of Michigan and upon receiving his Honorable Discharge, attended the Marquette School of Dentistry from 1960 to 1964.

While in dental school, he met a young x-ray tech in training named Roberta. They courted. Smitten with her, Bud proposed. But Roberta, the practical one, thought she was too young to get married. So they eventually went their separate ways. Twenty years later, they found each other again, rekindled their love (which had never really died), married, and remained devoted to each other throughout their almost 40-year marriage.

While at Marquette, Bud was a member of Delta Sigma Delta Society, as well as numerous other professional organizations throughout his dental career, where he practiced primarily in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Bud was truly a lifelong learner. He completed a three-year mastership program in general dentistry, the highest level of achievement in General Dentistry and only one of four in Wisconsin at the time. Later, after he had sold his dental practice, Bud was one of the early pioneers in getting trained on using a dental laser for the treatment of periodontal disease. He trained others on this new technology and also lectured on the subject.

Not a man of many words, Bud was instead a calm presence and a keen and thoughtful listener. Sometimes, when he agreed with an opinion, without saying a word, he would simply clap several slow claps to show his approval. Thinking back now, it was Bud's signature gesture.

Our Bud had several passions. He raced Porsches in SCCA races, mostly at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. He was an encyclopedia of car knowledge — the different models, engine types, RPMs, the best rated — always telling stories from racing in his youth, reliving those times as if they were just yesterday. He also loved upland bird hunting, especially at River Wildlife, first with his Labs then with his English Cockers. But most of all, he loved Roberta.

Bud kept cherished relationships with his men’s weekly coffee group, his long-time Gourmet Club group, and with his circle of close friends. One close friend said she’ll never forget how Bud drove over 1,000 miles to attend her mother’s funeral. Another remembered when Bud and Roberta dropped everything to pick up her and her young son in Milwaukee after their car had been towed for parking in the wrong spot. Several friends described Bud as a “class act and a real gentleman” who was easy to talk to. When Bud and Roberta hosted for their Gourmet Club, you'd always find Bud “holding court” in the kitchen, perched on his stool next to the stove, cooking the main meat entree with aplomb.

During the last weeks before his death, Bud was still making plans for travels and trips with Roberta. Near the end of this time, after having endured several difficult surgeries and numerous hospital stays over the course of almost two years, Bud was given the option to try one final procedure which might extend his time here just a little longer. He simply clapped -- affirming his passion -- for life and love! Bravo, Bud! Well done.

A private family service was held. Close friends also gathered for a special lunch at River Wildlife. Memorials to the American Heart Association in Bud’s name are appreciated.