I am saddened to tell you that I just received an email from ABS Board Member Bob Calvert advising that Associate/Collector member Phillip "Bud" Branch of Rayville, Louisiana passed away on March 26th.

Bob Calvert said that he regretted to advise us that ABS member Bud Branch died on March 26, 2013. Services were held on the 29th of March at the First Baptist, Rayville, Louisiana. Bud was a retired Lt Colonel with the US Army and a Vietnam Vet and held three college degrees in various fields. He was a huge knife collector and highly supportive of the ABS and makers from all over. He was recently elected to TOMB for his generosity to the ABS mission. He saved many ABS auctions by successfully bidding on and buying items and he almost always donated auction items.

Bud had been an ABS Associate/Collector member of the ABS since June 2006.