Charles “Bud” Sandkulla

9- 7- 1934 to 12- 12- 2020

Charles “Bud” Sandkulla passed away peacefully at home on December 12, 2020 in Burlingame, CA at the age of 86. A Californian with roots in Mendocino county, he was raised in San Francisco where he graduated from Polytechnic High School and lived most of his life on the mid- peninsula. He served in the Coast Guard maintaining light houses without stepping foot outside of the State

– his world. He was an athlete and sports were of keen interest to him. In his younger life, he played competitive basketball and tennis. For twenty years he, his partner Lynn and son David raced his sailboat Shazam! on the San Francisco Bay. He was a member of the SODA fleet and Singlehanded Sailing Society. Bud was a fierce competitor on the water and gracious mentor off. He remained analytical and sharp to the end, loving puzzles, projects and people. He retired as a union electrician in 1990. Bud was a quintessential craftsman and mechanic throughout his life and career, working on everything from cars and house projects to “cork art”. He had a leadership role in the San Bruno Tennis Club and served as Big Sir for the SSF SIR group. In all he did, Bud always tried to do the right thing. He was known for his humble integrity and the values he lived by. He always quietly set an example that encouraged others to be their best selves. Bud’s first marriage produced two sons: David and Dennis. In 1980 he partnered with Marylene ( Lynn). Between the two, they have 5 children, 8 grandchildren and at least 2 great- grandchildren: he was a good father. Bud and Lynn shared travel adventures in New Zealand, Russia, China, Turkey, Peru, Morocco, Sicily, Malta and cruised around Cape Horn. He is survived by two sisters: Joelle and Yvonne and joins his brother Lane who predeceased him. We will dearly miss him, but he should rest in peace knowing that we will do our best to carry on his example, values, perspective, humor, generosity, care and love.