Ronald "Bud" Lloyd Arlington Stilling

Twenty one years after the arrival of their first son over in Hjorring, Denmark, Lauritz Stilling and his wife Risa (nee Jensen) had made their way over to Canada and given birth to their 5th child, Ronald Lloyd Arlington. The youngest of 5, he was immediately and affectionately dubbed “Bud”, a name that stuck throughout his entire life. Curious, bright, and mischievous, Bud grew up in Saskatoon a few blocks away from the woman he would eventually marry. Although their paths didn’t cross until teachers’ college, the very day he lay eyes on Ada (nee Sparrow) he went home and announced that he had met the woman he was going to marry. . . and in 1957 he did just that. Bud went on to become the youngest teacher to be given a principalship at that time and continued as a highly respected educator for many years, guiding the destinies of students at Caswell, Montgomery, Henry Kelsey, Boughton, Vincent Massey, Howard Coad, WP Bate, Princess Alexandra and Buena Vista.

His many skills ran the gamut as Bud proved himself with medal performances in speed skating, curling, tennis, bowling and even a district Championship in yo-yo one year; artistic pursuits included painting and woodworking, and musical accomplishments in piano, clarinet, ukulele and song writing.

However, acting was his first love, and after receiving his B Ed at the U of S, Bud went on to get his Masters in Drama down at UCLA – with fellow classmate Michael Douglas. No matter what was going on in his busy schedule, he always had time for his love of acting, lending his theatrical talents to films, commercials, videos, musicals and plays while stealing hearts and “Best Actor” awards in lead roles such as Willie Loman in “Death of a Salesman” and Norman in “On Golden Pond” and performing with the likes of Anne B Davis, Donald Sutherland, and Lon Chaney Jr.

Bud also spent countless hours giving back to the community with volunteer positions as the Campaign Chairman for United Way, over 25 years with U.N.I.C.E.F, serving on the Board of Directors for camp Tamarack, and leading dozens and dozens of Communication workshops around the province. With all these accomplishments, it is no wonder the city decided to name the streets in one of the new subdivisions after him.

Bud provided well for his family, building their first home in Saskatoon, and then a cabin up at Delaronde, where his generosity in hosting was enjoyed by friends and family from throughout Canada, the US and Great Britain. The “Sir Isaac Walton Fishing Group” held many of their annual fishing trips at Delaronde. Creating memories and a love of nature during holidays, the family went on many camping trips out to the coast and enjoyed Disneyland twice.

Bud is survived by his wife Ada "Sparrow", his three daughters, Mo (Hans Koetting), Chy (Sam Liu) and Pamela (Yvan Boutin); grandchildren Leah, Hannah & Risa, Mandie & Keaton, Renée, Natalie & Jackson, as well as 5 great grandchildren the “littles” who affectionately dubbed him "Boppa"

Bud passed away peacefully on March 13th with his wife and daughters around him. The family would like to thank the amazing staff on the palliative ward at St Paul’s for taking such good care of Bud (and them) during his final two weeks. Thank-you also to Rebecca for leading our family in delightfully nostalgic sing-a-longs as we serenaded smiles onto Dad’s face.

A Celebration of Bud's Life will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023 at Acadia Funeral Chapel (915 Acadia Drive, Saskatoon). For those unable to attend please visit www.faithproductions.ca/livestream to view the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest that donations be made to United Way or UNICEF, two of the charities close to Bud’s heart and volunteered many hours.

Arrangements entrusted to Travis Minor.