It is with great sadness that the College reports the passing of Dr. Karl O. Budmen, Ed.D., emeritus professor of secondary education (English), on April 30, 2015, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He was 86.
Budmen was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on August 4, 1928, and grew up in Atlantic City, N.J. He was a graduate of Atlantic City High School and received a debate scholarship to Rutgers University, where he received his undergraduate and master’s degrees. He earned his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.
Budmen started his teaching career at Cranford High School in Cranford, N.J. He soon became an associate professor at Glassboro State Teachers College, now Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., and then came to SUNY New Paltz in 1968, where he later retired in 1995.
Budmen was a founding member of the SUNY New Paltz Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional organization for educators, and was an active member and Board Member throughout his lifetime. He and his wife, Roberta, gave a Phi Delta Kappa scholarship to a high school senior each year whose career goal was to be a teacher.
Both Karl and Roberta were honored with the 2010 Heritage Award during the SUNY New Paltz alumni reunion weekend festivities that year. The award is given annually to honor alumni and faculty whose devotion to the ideals of the college serve as shining examples to the entire New Paltz college community.
“I had the privilege of knowing both Karl and his wife, Roberta,” said President Donald P. Christian. “I so valued their steadfast devotion to the college’s mission and to our students.”
Survivors include two sons and several grandchildren. His wife Roberta passed away on February 16, 2014.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.copelandfhnp.com.
