Harlan “Bud” Witte, 92, De Pere, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2018.
Bud came to Green Bay from Madison after graduating and receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Wisconsin. As a student in Madison, Bud worked at two radio stations. Bud served his country in World War II in Germany as an interpreter in both combat and post war activity. In 1953, Green Bay got its first television station and Bud was one of the original announcers. He did both news and sports broadcasts and on Packer game days. Most of the time, he worked with the broadcasting team of the Packer opponent. As a Packer fan, he had to be very careful about what he said about either team. The job provided an opportunity to work with sports casters from all over the country and friendships that lasted forever. One of those friendships took Bud to Chicago for the balance of his broadcasting career. It did not take him away from Green Bay. Commuting regularly gave him an opportunity to renew an aside interest in real estate and continue his associations with his real estate friends in the area and at Coldwell Banker.
Bud also had an interest in music and was a member of a local Big Band for more than 40 years.
Bud met his wife Elisabeth while both were employed by the same broadcasting company. They shared a love for boating and sailing until Elisabeth’s death in 1993.
Bud was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, De Pere and held several church offices.
Bud is survived by a daughter, Ann, and her husband, Robert Lucas, Newport Beach, California, niece, Susan Caldwell Nelson, Westfield, New Jersey, nephews, Stephen Caldwell, Madison, WI, Stewart Dyke, Granville, Ohio, William Dyke, Madison, WI, and George Dyke, Maiden Rock, WI.
Family and friends may visit at Hope Lutheran Church, 700 S. Superior St, De Pere, on Monday, February, 26, from 9:30am until 10:45am. The Funeral Service for Bud will be celebrated at 11:00am with Rev. Matt Baye officiating. Burial will take place at Fort Howard Memorial Park. Cotter Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com.
Memorials may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, De Pere.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Richard Timmons and Dr. Jason Nitke for the outstanding care Bud received.