Charles W. “Bud” Salanski, 87, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2023.
He was born June 4, 1935 in St. Joseph to Stephen James and Virginia (Linville) Salanski. He graduated from Central High School in 1953, earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas in 1957, and later completed the Management Program for Small Business at the Harvard Graduate School of Business. He was a member of Delta Chi Fraternity at KU.
While at KU, Bud met Margaret Clark, and they were married August 25, 1956. They were married for 57 years until Margaret’s death in 2013. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret, father Stephen James Salanski (who died when Bud was 13 years old), mother Virginia Linville Salanski Ochse, and stepfather Lester Ochse.
Bud was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Surviving family members include son Stephen (wife Phyllis) Salanski, grandson Douglas (wife Jillian) Salanski, great-grandchildren Harper and Bennett Salanski, granddaughter Kristin (Salanski) Chandler (husband Jonathan Chandler), great-grandchildren Olivia, Samuel, and Madelyn Chandler; daughter Kimber Salanski, granddaughter Kaitlin Salanski; daughter Pamla (Salanski) Singer (husband Tolan Singer), grandchildren Abbigail and Noah Singer. He is also survived by his sister Stephanie (Salanski) FitzSimmons (husband James FitzSimmons); sister-in-law Mary Ann (Clark) Farris (husband Robert Farris) and eleven nieces/nephews/in-laws/great nieces/great nephews.
Charlie, as he was known in the business world, began working part-time for Wire Rope Corporation of America (WRCA), in 1953 while in college at KU. He began full-time employment at WRCA as a Field Engineer following graduation in 1957. He advanced steadily through the company, serving in eight different positions over 49 years – including Executive VP and COO from 1980 to 1995, then President and COO from 1995 until his retirement in 2002. During that time, WRCA, which was home-based in St. Joseph, became the largest producer of wire rope in North America. While working nationally to protect against unfair trade practices, he also became a key international leader in the industry. He initiated a joint venture in the Peoples Republic of China and established collaborative agreements with Korean and European companies. He served on an Advisory Committee to the US Department of Commerce and represented the US Bureau of Mines in a joint research program with Poland and Germany. He served three years as President of the American Wire Producers Association (AWPA), Chairman of the Wire Rope Technical Board, and Chairman of the Domestic Wire Rope Manufacturers Committee – as well as multiple other national industry boards and advisory committees.
After retiring from WRCA in 2002, Bud agreed to look (as a consultant) at the struggling non-profit Samaritan Counseling Center and found his second career. He eventually became Executive Director of The Center – leading The Center to be the St. Joseph Community’s premier provider of outpatient mental health services as the mental health safety net for people needing financial assistance or on Medicaid. He continued in that position for almost 15 years. During that time, he also Chaired a $9 million Federally funded, 6-year project to design and implement a new system of care for Severely Emotionally Disturbed Children.
Bud was engaged in leadership roles of multiple St. Joseph civic organizations. These included: President and Chairman of Finance Committee of YMCA (including leading the planning and fund-raising for the new YMCA facility in the 1980’s), President of St. Joseph Symphony Board, VP of St. Joseph Arts Council, Member of the Missouri State Council on the Arts, Founding Member and Board Chair for Heartland Health System’s Community Health Plan HMO, Member of the St. Joseph Sports Board, President of St. Joseph Kiwanis Club, President of St. Joseph Country Club, Founding Member and Board Chair of St. Joseph School District Foundation, St. Joseph Area United Way Campaign Chair and Advisory Board Member, Board Member and Finance Committee Chair for Interfaith Community Services, Buchanan County Tourism Board Member, and served as a St. Joseph City Councilman.
He was a lifelong member of Wyatt Park Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He served the Church as Board Moderator, Elder, Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, long-time Treasurer/Finance Chair, and trumpet player in the Praise Team. He was honored as a WPCC Life Service Member.
Bud and Margaret were true KU Jayhawk fans, holding football and basketball season tickets for decades, as well as being Kansas Alumni Association Life Members. He was Chairman of the University of Kansas Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board for 32 years and was also a Member of the University of Kansas Greater University Fund Advisory Board.
Bud loved playing the trumpet – starting in high school with a dance band called the Rhythm Rockers. He was in the KU Marching Band. In addition to the WPCC Praise Team, he played in the St. Joseph Kicks Band, the Don Haggee Jazz Quartet, and continued playing with the Rhythm Rockers for over fifty years. He also enjoyed playing golf and racquetball – and was very competitive in both sports.
Charlie/Bud received many business-related and civic honors and awards. Some highlights include: Fred J. Hoffman Award for Outstanding and Dedicated Leadership to the YMCA (1988), University of Kansas Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award (2003), St. Joseph Rotary Club Award of Excellence (2007), University of Kansas School of Engineering and Advisory Board Distinguished Engineering Service Award (2008), St. Joseph Family YMCA Lifetime Achievement Award (2010), Extraordinary Lifetime Achievement Mayor’s Award for the Arts by the Allied Arts Council (2013), Central High School Enright Academic Hall of Fame Inductee (2016), and the InterServ David G. Berger Community Service Award (2017).
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1:00 PM, Friday May 26 at Wyatt Park Christian Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM prior to the Service.
