Captain Rollin “Bud” Bauchspies, Jr.

Captain Rollin “Bud” L. Bauchspies, Jr. United States Navy (Retired) of Neptune Beach passed away peacefully on April 22, 2017 at the age of 87.  He was born on 12 March 1930 at Walter Reed Army Hospital, in Washington DC, the eldest of five sons and a daughter of the late Colonel Rollin L. and Kathryne S. Bauchspies United States Army (Retired) formally of Neptune Beach, Florida.

Bud was predeceased in death by his son Eric Lee Bauchspies, three brothers Colonel Robert W. Bauchspies USA (Ret), Colonel Richard E. Bauchspies USA, and the former Lieutenant Frank T. Bauchspies USN, his brother in law Lieutenant Colonel Lewis J. Miller, his stepson Michael K. Billings, and  by his wife Margaret “Peggy” Atwood Billings Bauchspies.  He is survived by three step- children:  James W. Billings of San Diego CA, Misty Billings (Michael) of Watsonville CA, David H. Billings (Dorothy) of San Diego CA, Dr. Laura Ann Billings of Ashville NC, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Bud grew up on various Army Posts throughout the United States and Hawaii.  He attended Georgia Tech on a Navy scholarship, and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering and a commission in the Regular Navy.

Bud served in the Navy as a Naval Aviator (fighter pilot) in VF 22 and VF 11, and as a Surface Warfare Officer.  He held command at sea and ashore.  At sea he served in a battleship, three cruisers, six aircraft carriers, three destroyers, a landing ship dock, and the Executive Officer of the presidential command ship WRIGHT (CC-20).  He served in the battleship USS WISCONSIN (BB-64) the flagship of the 7th Fleet during the Korean War.  During the Vietnam War he was the Executive Officer of a guided missile cruiser at sea off Vietnam, and commanded the destroyer USS STRIBLING (DD-867).  He spent one year on the staff of Military Assistance Command Vietnam outside Saigon as a plans officer.  He attended the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA; and the Naval War College, Newport, RI.  Ashore he served in the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC as Head of the Navy College Training Programs which included all college level programs for the Navy except the Naval Academy; Commanded the Fleet Training Center, Naval Station Mayport, FL; and served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Training Operations on the staff of the Chief of Naval Education and Training.  He was a designated personnel, training, education and management specialist by the Navy.

He came from a military family.  All five sons were commissioned as officers (two Navy and three Army), and their sister Kathie married an Army officer. Together with their father the seven served over 160 years on active duty, and when you count reserve service over 180 years of service. Two of the sons, Jim and Dick, were West Point graduates. Brothers Bob and Dick ashes are buried in Arlington National Cemetery as are those of their parents.

Bud was a life member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Military Officers of America Association, the Navy League of the United States, United States Naval Institute, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, Washington Daylight Lodge 14 Washington DC, a fifty year mason, Scottish Rite, the Morocco Shrine, a charter member of the Association of Naval Aviation

A memorial service will be held for Bud on May 8th at 11:00 am located Quinn-Shalz 3600 Third Street South, Jacksonville, Florida 32250.  It is requested memorials be given to a charity of your choice.  His ashes will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA with those of his wife in the fall.