The man responsible for bringing the Little League World Series to Kalamazoo, Harold "Bud" Vanderberg, passed away Thursday.

It's hard to find a family in the Kalamazoo area who doesn't know Bud Vanderberg.  He had a HUGE impact in Little League here in Southwest Michigan.  But did you know he was also a member of the International Board of Directors as well as Michigan 2 District Administrator?

LittleLeague.org remembers Bud Vanderberg,

Mr. Vanderberg, a native of Millwood, in the city of Kalamazoo, Mich., was instrumental in bringing Little League to southern Michigan. His introduction to Little League was in 1958, when his son, Jack, became a Little Leaguer®. In 1969, he was elected as Administrator for Michigan District 2, and held that position for 45 years (1969-2014). Mr. Vanderberg was elected to the Little League International Board of Directors in 1984, and was a current member at the time of his passing.

President and CEO of Little League tweeted:

 

Matt Nevala tweeted:

 

Robert Dreier had this to say on Facebook:

 

Dorine Britton remembers Bud on Facebook:

 

Tom McGorty remembers the last time he saw Bud in this Facebook post:

 

Steve Beadle posted:

Bud passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on Thursday.  MLive has this information on services for Harold "Bud" Vanderberg,

Visit with family and friends on Tuesday from 5-7 pm at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive; Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Wednesday at St. Monica Catholic Church, 4408 S Westnedge; Kalamazoo. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Do you have any stories or pictures with this Little League pioneer?  Share them with us on our Facebook Page or on Twitter.

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