(1924 - 2008)
Bud Bradley joined the U.S. Navy Air Corps as a pilot and flight instructor during World War II. He loved his time as a Navy pilot, flying open cockpit aircraft as a flight instructor training pilots that went on to serve in the European and Pacific theaters.
After the war, Bud began his law practice as a water-rights attorney and ultimately moved into the field of plaintiffs injury litigation where he became well known for handling personal injury cases and establishing legal precedents. His quick wit and remarkable sense of humor made him popular in the Reno community.
In 1970, Bud received national recognition when he was featured in a Time magazine article as one of the nation's preeminent personal injury attorneys. In 1973 he, along with Jim Boccardo, received a $3.655 million verdict in a trial in Reno which was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the worlds largest personal injury award.
Bud was a skilled trial lawyer, a champion of victim's rights, and a quiet but humble force towards the betterment of communities of northern Nevada. His commitment to community led to many literacy, computer lab, and capital development projects with the local elementary and high schools, and the University of Nevada-Reno. His dedication to education was recognized in 1993 when he was presented an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Nevada-Reno. He was also presented with the coveted University of Nevada-Reno President's Award for his support and advancement of education.
Bud had a life-long love of aviation and enjoyed flying his high wing Cessna. He was a founding trustee of the Reno Air Races Association. In 2003, Bud was honored as Grand Marshal at the 40th anniversary of the Reno Air Races.
As a child growing up in Ely, Nevada, Bud was especially proud of his association with the Boy Scouts. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1940. He continued to support the Boy Scout mission, both personally and professionally, throughout his life. As a result, the Board of Regents of the National Eagle Scout Association and the Nevada area Council of Boy Scouts presented Bud with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2003.
