Harry LaFayette Budd, Ph.D., 79, of Maple Street, Slippery Rock, died at 2:30 a.m. Sunday at the Southwestern Veterans Center.

Born in Pittsburgh, Sept. 7, 1927, he was the son of Walter Perry Budd and Mildred Phoebe Ruther Budd.

He did his undergraduate work at Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Ark., and received his master's degree and doctorate of education degree from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

In 1997, he retired from Slippery Rock University after 21 years as a professor in the modern language department. Prior to that, he was the director of Act 101 at the University of Arkansas.

Budd was a member of the Center Presbyterian Church in Slippery Rock, where he was an elder and was a member of the choir.

He had served in the Navy and Army and participated in the Korean War.

He was a member and served twice as president of the Slippery Rock Rotary Club. He was a highly regarded song leader and brought great spirit and fellowship to numerous Rotary District Conferences for Rotary District 7280. He also sang in operatic groups in Arkansas before coming to Slippery Rock and organized gospel choirs at the University of Arkansas and SRU. He was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Surviving are his wife, Janie Ruth Dyer Budd, whom, he married Nov. 15, 1965; a daughter, Harriette Budd of Little Rock; two sons, Allan Budd and his wife, Cynara, of San Antonio, Texas, and Arthur James Budd and his wife, Kimberly, of Lancaster, Calif.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ann Rogers and Mary Ann Budd; and two brothers, Wyatt Ruther Budd and Russell Budd.

<B>BUDD</B> — A public memorial service for Harry LaFayette Budd, Ph.D., who died Sunday, July 23, 2006, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Center Presbyterian Church, 211 Center St. Slippery Rock. The Rev. David McCabe will officiate. Burial will be at Slippery Rock Cemetery.The family will receive friends in the church social hall immediately following the service.Memorial contributions may be made to the Feed My Sheep Food Cupboard or Center Presbyterian Church.Arrangements are being handled by the <B>Smith Funeral Home</B>, Slippery Rock