Charles E. Bates

Charles E. “Bud” Bates Bud Bates, proprietor of great former Austin establishments like The Capitol Oyster Bar, Mike & Charlie’s, Casablanca and the Blue Parrot, passed away Wednesday, January 21 in Austin after a brief illness. Bud believed in and lived by the mantra that the most treasured of all experiences to be enjoyed in life weren’t “things” or “money,” but the people and friends he met all through his life. Bud made friends wherever life took him, and cherished those friendships until the end. He is survived by his daughter, Anne Stuart Bates Camden, her husband Cary, and his granddaughter Carolanne Bates Camden of Cedar Park, Tex., his sister Anne Stuart Bates Pearson and her husband David of Coral Gables, Fla., nephew Christopher Pearson and nieces Katharine Pearson and Margaret Pearson, also of Coral Gables, niece Barbara Bates Knight of Washington D.C. and niece Elizabeth Bates Pfanenstiel of Chicago, as well as great-nieces and nephews. His beloved mother, Frances Schultz Bates, his father, Charles R. Bates, and brother, Frederick “Rick” Bates preceded him in death. Bud’s journey took him across the country and back again. Born and raised in Webster Groves, Mo., his great smile and gregarious personality enabled him to established lifelong friendships, like that with “The Girls.” These friends most often remember him as “Jud” the character he played in the musical Oklahoma!, produced by Webster Groves High School. The class of 1955 will dearly miss him at their 50th reunion next year. Bud attended college at the Purdue University and University of Arizona in Tucson, where he met his first wife, Claire Eggleston, of Burlington, Iowa. Arriving in Austin in 1968, Bud was offered the opportunity to team up with one of his closest high school friends, local restaurateur, Bill English. After learning the ropes at English’s Bar, Bud and Bill teamed up to open the original Capitol Oyster Company with a seating capacity of 38 and a staff of three. In the early 1970s, Bud became the sole proprietor of the Oyster Bar and began expanding, eventually leading to four more establishments hitting the Austin dining and entertainment scene: Mike & Charlie’s, a favorite hang out with the Seton medical staff; Casablanca, remembered to this day for its rattan peacock chairs; The Blue Parrot, where the waitresses wore Carmen Miranda outfits, including the fruit basket hats; and Ricco’s, owned by Bud’s brother Rick Bates. During this time Bud met and married his second wife, Austinite Linda Steinhauser (now Walcovich) and became a father to her three daughters, Laura, Betsy and Mary Ellen. Linda was a true partner to Bud, matching his long hours and contributing her food and beverage expertise to the restaurants. Bud did the best he could as a husband and a father to four daughters, keeping a sense of humor about “being the only male in a house with five women.” Eventually Bud left the restaurant business, did a brief stint as a “Texas oilman,” followed by a turn as manager of favorite Austin watering hole, Ego’s, finally retiring permanently, due to increasing health issues. In 1988, Bud was given his most faithful companion, Roscoe, The Wonder Dog. Together they faced life as Bud’s health problems became more challenging, including a bout with esophageal cancer in 1999. In 2001, Bud decided it was time for another adventure and moved with Roscoe to Tucson, Ariz. They spent two and a half happy years there, with Bud returning alone to Austin permanently in December 2003. The family would like to thank Dr. Mary Maxwell and the staff of St. David’s for their care, concern and support during Bud’s illness. A memorial service celebrating his life in Austin will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 25 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Eden Seminary in St. Louis or charity of choice. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 (512) 452-8811 You may view memorials online at www.wcfish.com