Eulogy for Father Bud Kieser, C.S.P.
by Frank Desiderio, C.S.P.

A couple of years ago, Bud called me and asked me if I would come out and work with him. He invited me to understudy him and take over when he retired. I told him no. I knew he would never really retire. As we all know, Bud doesn't take no for an answer. For the past year and a half, I have been working with him as his successor. Bud taught me a lot.

He taught me directly and indirectly. His idea of mentoring was to make speeches or pass along helpful hints or tell me war stories from days on the production set. My idea of being mentored was to watch what he did.

So, what did I learn? I've boiled it down into Bud’s Ten Commandments.

1. Give God The Best
Think Big. Shoot High. Ask the A-List. Work with the best people. To that end, he lectured me on his arcane algebra of favors. Bud figured if you had said no to him once, then you owed him a favor the next time. He couldn't believe that anyone could say no to him and not be wracked with guilt. He told me to wear old shoes when I go in to ask for money. What I observed is that you have to be deeply committed and believe in what you want the money for. What I took away is that what we do is important and we have to do our best and ask other people to give their all because ultimately it is for God.

Father Ellwood E. Kieser, C.S.P.
March 27, 1929 to
September 16, 2000