Obituary

B.J. (Bud) Hinkle, 101, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2024. Bud was born on July 21, 1922, in Springfield, Mo, and grew up in Kansas City. He graduated from Northeast High School in 1939.

Bud joined the United States Army in September 1942 and was assigned to the Army Medical Corps. He was a Sergeant in the 7^th Air Depot Group and stationed in Europe. He was awarded 3 Bronze stars and was discharged on December 12, 1945.

He attended Kansas University, graduating with a BS in Business Administration in 1949. He was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and was Commander of the chapter during his junior year.

Upon graduating, Bud worked at Standard Register Company and Ford Motor Company before joining Interstate Brands Corp in 1955 as Manager of Systems and Procedures. He was elected President and Chief Executive Officer in April 1973 and Chairman of the Board in April 1977. He was a Director of the parent company (Interstate Bakeries Corporation) and elected Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer in January 1982. He served as Chairman of the American Bakers Association from 1981-1982 and was an honorary life member since 1984. He was a member of the USDA Wheat Industry Council, serving as Chairman from 1984-1986. Bud’s achievements were noted in the publications of Who’s Who in Finance and Industry 1977, Who’s Who in America 1978, and Who’s Who in the World 1978-1979.  He retired in December 1984.

Bud married Margaret Ann Herschberger on March 19, 1955, at Lake Lotawana United Methodist Church. They have 3 children – Susan, David and James.

Bud and Marge moved to Lake Lotawana, Mo in 1989, and spent many wonderful years being involved in lake activities and spending time with friends. Bud served as Treasurer of the Lake Lotawana United Methodist Church and as Commodore of the Missouri Yacht Club. He was very involved with the Sigma Nu Fraternity Alumni, serving as Chapter Advisor, President of the House Corporation and President of the Harrington Holloway Foundation. Bud was a Trustee on the National Education Foundation of the Sigma Nu International Fraternity and received a Lifetime Service Award in 1997. He was awarded the Regent’s Medallion of Merit Award in 2021.

Most important to Bud was his love of family, and he had a special connection with his children and grandchildren. He spent many years coaching his sons’ baseball teams and as Cub Master. He loved taking his children and grandchildren boating, sailing and teaching them to water ski. He and Marge did a lot of traveling after his retirement, both in the United States and abroad. He spent his last 5 years living at Tall Grass Retirement Community in Overland Park, KS, making friends with all those he met.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Ann Hinkle. He is survived by his three children Susan Costello (Joe) of Venice, FL, David Hinkle (Angela) of Overland Park, KS and James Hinkle (Susie) of Golden, CO; five grandchildren Katie Schafer (Brendan), Bobby Costello, Alex Hinkle, Drew Hinkle (Daphne) and Will Hinkle; and two great grandchildren, Henry and Owen Schafer.

Funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at the Langsford Funeral Home 115 SW 3rd St Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 on June 22, 2024. Visitation will be at 10 am with service following at 11 am. Interment will follow at the Lee’s Summit Historical Cemetery, 806 SE 3rd St, Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Harrington Holloway Educational Foundation Inc, P.O. Box 7272, Kansas City, MO 64113