Robert E. "Bud" Qualls, 73, of Elkhart died Sunday July 10, 2016 at home. Bud was born on November 7, 1942 in Elkhart to Bernice and Mary Jo (Seay) Qualls. On February 24, 1990 he married Nancy J. Bevington. She survives. Bud is also survived by step-daughters, Tonya Garberick, and Trisha Lance, both of Elkhart; grandchildren Brian Lance, MI and Carl Lance, IN; sisters, Deb (Doug) Biggs, MI, and Mary Lena (Albert) Bemiller, Wakarusa; brothers Jack (Barbie) Qualls and Steve Qualls, both of Osceola; 3 nephews and a niece. Bud was a member of the US Air Force. He continued his passion of working with planes as a mechanic on Jet and charter planes with Ray Stutsman Aircraft. Bud went to Spain and purchased Warbird planes, disassembled them, shipped them back to the USA and reassembled them himself. He then worked at Beck Air and later Patrick Industries, from where he retired. Bud graduated from the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK. He also monitored vital signs for surgical patients at Ann Arbor Hospitals. He enjoyed flying and building things, reading and working on his grandfather's "farmall tractor". He and Nancy enjoyed Square Dancing in Davidson, North Carolina. Friends may call from 10 am until the time of service at 11 am, Thursday, July 21, 2016 at Sugar Grove Church, 58512 Old CR 17, Goshen, IN 46528. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association and the American Stroke Association.