Timothy Maga

The original tough guy with the heart of gold, Bud made a difference in the lives of many.  Although I especially remember him during my days with the Maryland program on Guam two decades ago, and wonderful times there with our Asia Maryland colleague Jay Dobbin (who passed away in 2011), Bud should also be recognized for his pioneering work and leadership in distance learning.  He believed that the latter was not just the future, but a good future, and he did his best to prove the point.

Kenneth Levitt

Tough guy with a heart of gold describes Bud perfectly!  I was on Okinawa (1995-96) while Bud was there.  To be honest, although we knew each other, we only spoke a few times.  However, after leaving Maryland in 2001 for a job in the states, I became interested in teaching online for UMUC.  By then, Bud was directing the DE program.  So I took a chance and emailed him out of the blue in 2002 letting him know that I was interested in teaching DE. I really wasn't expecting a reply as I was out of the UMUC system, and I didn't know Bud very well.  To my surprise, Bud emailed me the next day saying, "Sure Ken, we can definitely use you in our DE program!"  The next thing I knew, I was in a training class.  I ended up teaching for UMUC from 2002 - 2014, and I continue to teach online for other schools as a part-time job.  At some point, I assumed I would have a chance to thank Bud for creating an opportunity that turned out to be very important to me, but unfortunately, I never had the chance. 

Beneath the tough exterior, Bud was a super nice guy who was very passionate about online education, and cared greatly about teaching.  As the DE Director, he would send out a monthly newsletter.  I remember that he once wrote in a newsletter that he preferred to use the term "teacher" as opposed to "Professor" to describe the jobs that we do.  It makes sense ------ Bud was a down to earth guy, and thought there was great honor in being a teacher.  Whenever I think of Bud, I think of the opportunity he gave me as well as the value in being a good teacher.

Bren Shuler

I had the pleasure of working with Leroy "Bud" Brever in an administrative capacity when when we both worked for UMUC Asia.  He was on Okinawa while I worked in the administrative headquarters located in the Tokyo area.  At the time of our initial interactions he was helping Homer Krout establish the Asian Divisions' first DE courses.  Later it was as the DE Director and short stints as the Computer Studies discipline coordinator. Bud could be tough and irascible at times, but beneath the rough exterior was a man who was smart, thoughtful, and fair minded.  I know he will be missed. 

Christine Kikuchi

I was so lucky to be able to work directly with Bud, albiet in a typical overseas situation. I became Bud's Assisitant Director of CMST while I was living in the Tokyo area and he was in Okinawa. We both made trips to see each other and had a lot of communication via email and phone calls. A year later, he decided to leave the Director role and I took it over. I was then able to see him every time I went into Okinawa. 

After I moved back to the States, he and I emailed each other often, especially as we went through our LEO training.  He was a fine teacher who cared deeeply for his students and who tried his very best to give his studnets "real" world skills. Bud devoted many many years to UMUC and his passing will leave a hole.

Bud was brash, outspoken, and opinonated and I loved the man. 

Good bye, Bud.

Jan Sacherer (Turner)

I first met Bud when we shared a BOQ on Kadena Air Base. We  shared many  interesting hours of conversation. Although he initially came across as a drill sergeant, he was in fact a very thoughtful sociologist. We both loved Okinawa and took a keen interest in its convoluted politics. Later on, I worked for him in the  DE department.

Bud made a point of hiring liberal arts women to teach DE when many still thought you needed to be a computer science major for the job, and he treated everyone fairly. He never held a grudge and could always be persuaded with a rational argument.  Yes meant yes, no meant no, and there were no subplots or secret agendas. He became one of my favorite bosses. In turn, he looked out for "his people", keeping us up to date on the ever changing situation in Adelphi and making sure that the most hardworking employees in his department were up to date on training and aware of opportunities before they arose. Whenever I think of my years on Okinawa, and its many colorful characters, he is one of the first who comes to mind.