Bud Kanke

In memory of Bud Kanke — a devoted husband, respected founder, and a man whose life’s work was defined by integrity, hard work, and heart.

Bud’s greatest pride was always Dotty, the love of his life and his true partner in every sense. Everything Bud built in the world was grounded in the life he and Dotty built together.

Professionally, Bud was a pioneer in hospitality. Over the course of his career, he founded and helped build multiple restaurants, each guided by the same enduring principles: uncompromising quality, respect for people, and consistency over time. He believed that true success came from doing things the right way, day after day.

Among his many accomplishments, Joe Forte’s stands as a signature of Bud’s vision. More than a restaurant, it became a gathering place— where celebrations were shared, friendships formed, and memories made. It reflected Bud himself: welcoming, dependable, and built to last.

Bud was known as a fair and steady leader. He valued loyalty, mentored quietly, and treated everyone with respect. Many did not simply work for Bud— they learned from him. Despite his success, he remained humble, allowing his work to speak for itself. What people remember most is how Bud made them feel: welcomed, respected, and at ease. He was generous in spirit and carried himself with calm kindness and quiet confidence.

After a lifetime of hard work, Bud embraced retirement, filling his days with golf and hikes alongside Dotty, and savoring the simple pleasures of winters spent under the desert sun.

Bud’s personal legacy lives on in Dotty; his children, Wendy, Jordan, and Karen; his five grandchildren; his two great-grandchildren and his niece Zoe. His professional legacy endures through the people he mentored and the community shaped by his life’s work.

We grieve today because we loved him. 
And we are grateful today because we had him.

May Bud Kanke’s memory be a blessing— always.

At Bud's request, there will not be a service held.