Rose, Robert E. "Bud" age 96 of Minnetonka, passed away 12/19/2014. He was preceded in death by daughter Peggy Rose (Keith Kajander), parents Pauline & Benjamin Rosenblum and sister Helen Jane Bohn. Survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Dory Rivkin Rose; children Chuck Rose (Jeannie Peters), Stephen Rose and Liz Jerome (Richard); grandchildren Rachel and Diana Jerome; brother-in-law Arthur Rivkin (Jeanne); longtime friend Mickey Orren; nieces, nephews and other relative and many friends. Special thanks to his helpful friend Kofi Boadu and Diane Light of Allina Hospice. From the time that he was a young boy living in Montana, Bud had a natural instinct for putting things together. He could repair anything with an engine, especially cars. He drove a car when he was 8 years old by figuring out how to build up the pedals so he could reach them. He had a love of the automobile which led to his business career. He started Champion Auto Parts in 1955. When he sold his company he had stores from Texas to North Dakota with over 1000 employees and 150 outlets. He never considered his business as work. He loved what he did and was a friend and mentor to all his employees. In 1989 he won a national award from his industry called Automotive Parts & Accessories Association for his outstanding achievements. Bud served in WWII and won the Legion of Merit for saving lives through his ability to troubleshoot problems on airplanes. He became so well known as a diagnostic mechanic that he covered the airbases in Southern Italy and Northern Africa. He identified a propeller problem and invented a tool to fix it. After 4 years stationed in England, North Africa, and Southern Italy he caught Malaria but continued to serve. Bud had an outstanding antique car collection and did all the work on his cars himself using authentic parts that he spent years locating. When his cars went on the market his work was so well known that two were purchased by Europeans. His greatest joy was being home, working on his cars with his family and the neighbors watching him. After work he would take the family and the neighbors in his antique Ford touring car for a drive around Lake of the Isles. Bud was also an inventor. He developed a Milk-O-Meter which was patented, a tool for the gas tank and a special toothbrush. He joined an aerobics dance class when few men did and so enjoyed it that he created an exercise tape for home-bound adults. He also performed in an exercise movie for post heart bypass surgery patients and later taught a class in aerobics. His love of dance led him to serve on the board of Zenon Dance Company. Bud also served on the Temple Israel Men's Club Board, he was on the site-selection committee to locate Camp Teko and was instrumental in locating the property on Lake Minne-tonka. He had a life-long passion for learning. Bud took philosophy and history classes at the University of Minnesota, he attended sessions at the Esalen Institute in California, and even took drum lessons. He was always interested in the world around him. After retirement he taught a defensive driving class for seniors, which were very popular. Bud enjoyed golfing at Oak Ridge Country Club with his golf buddies and his friends at the Friday Club. Bud was a kind, compassionate, sweet person, and a loving husband, father and grandfather. Anyone who knew him was enriched by having him as a friend. Memorial service 11:30 TUESDAY, December 30th at TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2324 Emerson Ave. So. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Temple Israel's Camp Teko or American Technion Society. Reception at Temple Israel immediately following the service. Hodroff-Epstein 612 871-1234 hodroffepstein.com