Community Corner
40 Years! City Plans 'Cake and Shake' Thanks for Retiring Worker Today
Chances are, you've seen Bud Leafdale out and about, at work, sometime during the past four decades. He says goodbye to his Rochester Hills job today.
When Bud Leafdale first came to work for the city of Rochester Hills in 1972, it wasn't even a city at all.
In fact, the Department of Public Services facility where Leafdale came to work was a two-car garage on Harding Road in what was then Avon Township.
Today — Leafdale's last day on the job — he will come to work at the city's state-of-the-art building on Auburn Road in the city.
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And his many colleagues will gather there to say farewell.
“We wish Bud health and happiness during his retirement,” stated Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett. “It certainly will not be the same without him”.
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Leafdale, the city's general superintendent of the DPS, is retiring after 40 years of service.
Barnett said Leafdale has "played an integral role in shaping the entire culture of our DPS Department."
He has worked under every mayor, seven directors, and now supervises nearly 50 employees covering five different departments within the DPS.
According to city officials, he helped build and , was instrumental in the design and building of the new DPS Facility, is active in Relay for Life and helped establish the original Holiday Helpers.
During most of his tenure with the city, he worked alongside his brother, Ed Leafdale, a general foreman.
"I feel lucky to have been able to work with him for so many years and on so many projects," Ed Leafdale said.
Bud hired his brother in 1974. The two grew up in Troy; Ed and Bud went to Troy High School, where Bud played football. Their dad was the former water foreman for the city of Troy, which is how they both got involved in the DPS in Rochester Hills.
Bud and his wife, Sharon, plan to spend time with their 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Bud also plans to spend time gardening, fishing and restoring his 1955 Chevy.
Thanking Bud
The city will host a “Cake & Shake” for those who wish to thank Bud Leafdale for his years of public service. The event is planned for 2:30 p.m. today at the DPS garage located at 511 E. Auburn Road.
There will be a formal recognition of his service to the community at the Aug. 13 City Council meeting.
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