Frederick Charles Reigle, known affectionately as Bud, Doc, Dad, or Papa, died Tuesday, December 30, 2025 in Jackson, Michigan.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eagle Funeral Home-George White Chapel in Litchfield. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Litchfield.
The family will receive friends for visitation Friday, January 9 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
He lived a long and rich life. He will be remembered by his ready smile, his generosity, his optimism and his uncanny ability to discover something good about every difficult situation or find a way to make a difficult one better. One of his favorite sayings, that turned into his life’s creed, was pulled from the Litchfield newspaper, The Ballyhoo. That newspaper ends every report of a social event with “And a good time was had by all.” Bud daily brought that spirit to everyone he met and especially for those he loved.
He was born in Monroe, Michigan February 23, 1932 to Viola Hoffman and Charles Reigle. Bud’s father died early in his life, but he was lovingly raised by his mother and 2 older sisters, Ruth and Mary and his brother-in-law, Morrie. It was a struggle for them during WW II. Viola supported her son by sewing for neighbors and selling her baked goods. Every week Bud delivered them, pulling his little red wagon to each home.
He spent his spare time watching movies in his best friend Joe’s, family movie theatres and for the rest of his life he would recount the plots and daring adventures of his favorites. As an adult he turned that love into his own adventures, traveling in the US and Europe. He also played tennis and swam at Monroe High School and later fostered the love of sports and competition in his children and grandchildren. He always made sure each of his kids and grandchildren had their own ball, even the girls, which was rare when he started in the 1960’s and 70’s.
Bud knew he wanted to become a doctor, attending DePauw University and the University of Michigan. He graduated in 1958. After his first year of college, he married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Uhle. They had 3 children at that time (a 3rd son was born when they moved to Litchfield). Both Bud and Marilyn worked hard to supplement Bud’s Freemason scholarship and to provide for the needs of a growing family. His first job after medical school was in Greencastle, Indiana until a job opened in Litchfield and he could return to Michigan. He practiced in Litchfield from 1960 until he retired in 2002.
Litchfield was important to Bud. He supported the United Methodist Church helping with renovations and for a new building, he supported the local Boy Scout troop, sat on the school board as its president, attended every sporting event in case they needed a doctor, and actually did house calls for those who couldn’t get to his office.
Bud will be remembered by his partner of 40 years, Mary Robbins, his children Kathy (Larry) Wildt, Rick (Betsy (desc), Tom (Julie), Matt (Soultana), 12 grandchildren and 7 spouses, 12 great grandchildren, and of course by his community.
Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Uhle Reigle, and by his parents and sisters.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Humane Society of Branch County or the Greater Hillsdale Humane Society.
Comments