Roger "Bud" H. Stickle

Roger H. “Bud” Stickle of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully, on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at home surrounded by family and friends. Bud was born at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on April 22nd, 1948, to the late Roger H. and Ruth Stickle (coincidentally two days after his future bride).

Bud grew up in Rocky Ripple and graduated from North Central High School with the Class of 1966.

Not ready for college, the war in Vietnam raging and the ever-looming prospect of being drafted, Bud decided to join the United States Navy.

Bud soon started what is some of the toughest training in the military to become a Navy Frogman. Refusing to give up and ring the bell, he graduated from UDTR/BUDS training with Class 41. Bud’s deployments and experience included cruises to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Vietnam even training with NASA to recover Apollo spacecraft. In 1970 at the “request” of the love of his life Lynn, he turned down the opportunity to return for a second tour to Vietnam with SEAL Team 2 and transferred to the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Soon after returning home, he married his soulmate and wife of 53 years, Lynn Haerle. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business at Indiana University then joined the family business, Stickle Steam Specialties. In 1976 Bud was elected President of the family business and he was the fourth generation to hold this office. One of Bud’s biggest professional accomplishments was seeing the business to its 100th year of operation in 2007.

He was a beloved member of the corrugated packaging community, having contributed to the industry for over 50 years. His legacy of hard work, dedication to what he believed was right, and the success of his customers came in many forms, using Bud’s special brand of direct communication, and will be missed by many. Bud Stickle’s Prevost bus with Lynn and their dogs inside was seen across the country parked at box plants, towing motorcycle trailers, and driving family and friends on the next big adventure. Work was not work to Bud, it was his heart and soul. As were his wife and family.

Bud is survived by his wife, Lynn, and their three children, Michael (Julie) Stickle, Jenny (Chuck) Welch, and Chad (Libby) Stickle; Granddaughters, Alexis, and Halle Harford; Emerson, Charlotte, and Reagan Stickle; Sadie Welch, and grandson Charlie Welch; his sister Liz Allison and her family Nanette, Tyler, Andrew, and Joseph.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Evelyn, and nephew Ben.

A private family service will be held on Thursday at Crown Hill Cemetery.

To know Bud was to know he loved a party and being surrounded by friends and family. To that end, the family invites you to join them on Sunday, February 18 from 4-7 PM at the Aristocrat Pub and Restaurant 5212 North College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in Bud’s name to Rock Steady Boxing, 6847 Hillsdale Court, Indianapolis, IN 46250 (rocksteadyboxing.org) or Tunnel to Towers Foundation 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 (T2T.org)