Thomas Richard "Bud" Stadler

BURLINGTON – Thomas R. "Bud" Stadler, 92, passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Alamance Regional Medical Center.

An Alamance County native, Bud married Doris Ward in 1953 on the TV show Bride & Groom in New York City. He was an Army veteran, which enabled him to become the first in his family to graduate from college (NC State University 1960). He was a mechanical engineer at Cape Kennedy, FL, during the Gemini and Apollo programs, including the first successful moon landing. He returned to Burlington and launched Stadler's Biscuit Factory in 1971, a successful 30-year family business serving the wholesale food industry. Bud and Doris retired in 2001, then moved to The Village at Brookwood in 2019, where they resided until their deaths.

Bud was predeceased by his wife Doris Ward Stadler, his parents Charlie W. and Esther Neely Stadler, and his brother Virgil L. Stadler. He is survived by his children: Richard E. "Rick" Stadler and wife, Dale (Panama City, FL), Charles W. "Bill" Stadler, II (Whitsett, NC), and Mona C. Stadler (Burlington, NC), as well as 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held for the family on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Alamance Memorial Park.