Robert E. "Bud" Partridge, 67, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2012.

He was born in Hutchinson, June 7, 1944, the son of Richard "Pappy" and Irene Moore Partridge.

He graduated from Nickerson High School, Dodge City Community College, and Ft. Hays State University with a Secondary Teaching Degree. He was a member of Crossroads Christian Church and Sigma Phi Epsilom Fraternity. He spent five years teaching and coaching in Colby and Esbon, and drove a truck for Titus. His life's passion and career was training, breeding and racing thoroughbred and quarter horses. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred Associations. Bud was an avid history buff and the cowboy in him loved a good western movie.

On June 11, 1967, he married Rebecca S. Diehl in Dodge City. Survivors include: his wife of 44 years; two sons, Robert Ty and wife Megan, Royal Oak, MI, and Roger Tate, Hutchinson; a daughter, Tandy Bradford and husband Josh, Toledo, OH; a brother, Jim and wife Carol, Hutchinson; a sister-in-law, Jean Partridge, Garden City; three grandsons, Grant and Garrett Partridge, and Blake Bradford; two nephews; and four nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Richard "Dick" Partridge and a nephew.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, January 23, 2012, at Crossroads Christian Church, 4310 N. Monroe, Hutchinson, with Wayne Pittman and Clyde Goff presiding. Burial will be in Penwell Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. Friends may call 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, with the family present 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Robert E. Partridge Trust (a benevolent fund for horsemen) or to the church, in care of the mortuary.