Captain – Fire Station 10
Deceased:
October 22, 2022
Appointed:
06/27/1959
Pensioned:
12/07/1989 – FS10
Details on the memorial service
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
My condolences to my Glenn and the Zink family. Bud was a legend. May he rest in peace.
Captain Zink was a legend on the department. I remember I was detailed to F.S.13 just before I promoted to A.O. and he just promoted to Captain. One of the Medics called in sick late at night all I could hear was swearing coming out of the front office I thought this guy really got to Cap. If you knew Bud he had these huge sausage fingers and at the time we used typewriters to write the 166 forms. What it was he was going through 166 forms because his fingers were hitting the wrong keys on the typewriter. he must have gone through a dozen forms before the end of the evening. I’m surprised the typewriter did not end up on the apparatus floor.
My condolences to Glen Zink and the Zink family R.I.P. Sir!
Oh so sad to hear the loss of Bud. I worked with Bud at old Fire Station 4 on the Squad. We had Bud on the “C” shift, Gillis on the “B” and Jim Ott on the “A”. What a time we had back then. Fire after fire and we learned allot from them. His was a giant of a man but light on his feet. An “A” handball player and great dirt bike rider. I have story after story about him but not enough room for them all. I will tell one thou. A group of us went to Kenny Meadows for an over night dirt bike ride. We had the Ott’s, Balzanos, Maga and myself. Bud was the trail boss to guide us to where we would stay for the night. Needless to say he got us lost. When we finally got to our destination tired and wanted to call it for the day but Bud decided to go for one little run. We looked at each other like he’s crazy to by himself, so some of us saddle up and again he got us lost on a hiking trail and getting dark. Jim Ott left his bike on the trail and Gil Maga was riding both bikes back one at a time. We finally made it back to camp by dark and all Bud would say is what? Wasn’t that a good time??? My thoughts go out to Glenn and the rest of the family. Rest In Peace my friend
A true Firemans Fireman. Bud was the example you looked up to, a legend. A tremendous leader and gentleman on and off the Job. Played a few rounds of golf with Bud and Gene “Country” Allen in the mix, what great memories.
My sincere condolences to Glen and the Zink family.
And sorry to hear of Bud Zink passing. Bud was a great competitor and handball. I remember him playing me in the B finals at 11’s. But most of all of the competition between Maga and Zink Against Chrisman and Rohrback and many times in the class A finals. The only way to win the championship you had to go through Maga and Zink he also volunteered many of his off duty hours building and repairing handball courts. He was a true craftsman in hardwood floors. he was a true gentleman on and off the court those were great days that I still remember. My condolences to the Zink family, Richard Chrisman
I remember Bud Zink in all the Handball competition we had. I played Bud in the B singles final. Maga and Zink or a great doubles team combination and the only way to win the Class A Doubles wants to go through them.
Chrisman and Rohrback we had many doubles finals together. Bud was is a true gentleman on and off the court. He spent many hours of his off duty time building and repairing handball court floors. Thanks for all the handball memories. My condolences to your family, Richard Chrisman.
My condolences to the entire Zink family. My first assignment as an engineer was Battalion 11, FS 20 – A, Captain Zink as the TFC. “Zink’s Animals”. I could fill volumes telling stories about my time there, but that’s for another time. Right now by way of honoring his memory what I’d like to communicate is how much my time working for Captain Zink meant to my career and to this day still means to me. I was definitely a recipient of his leadership, firefighting skills and yes, kindness. Definitely one of the brightest spots in my career. Before they ever coined the phrase “liv’n the dream”, for me simply being on the LAFD first filled my cup to overflowing. Having said that, it was Captain Zink and men like him that played a key role in making that dream so special. Last I saw of him was after a large LAFD funeral. It was outside the church and if my memory serves me right it was Gil Maga, Tom Rohrbach and Bud Zink – just shaking his big hand made me feel special. God bless the Zink family with comfort and peace. Grateful, George Negrete
Bud was one-of-a-kind. One of the best truck firefighters ever, an amazing handball player, just a larger than life man. RIP Bud.
Bud was a great captain, mentor, and a driven competitor. One year he ended up in the Fat Man’s Club. He was irate. Lane Kemper was going in for his medical the following week. Cap Zink said, “Lane, there’s no way that I get in the Club, and you don’t.” Lane said, “Cap, you can look fat, you just can’t be fat..” A week later Lane came back from his medical. He walked in to the kitchen, got a large slice of sourdough bread, put it in the toaster, and proceeded to put on it; peanut butter, strawberry jam, sliced bananas, chocolate syrup, and cinnamon sugar. He walked into the front office, and sat down with his calorie infused toast precariously balanced on his finger tips. Bud spun around in his office chair, and loudly asked, “Well, Lane, are you in or are you out!!?” You guessed it. “Nope, Cap, you can look fat, you just can’t be fat,” and Lane took a giant bite out of his toast. Cap…went…ballistic! Red face, neck veins popping, jaw clenched, fists pounding the desk. I think he almost broke his religious convictions, and swore, but he kept it in. Enjoy the toast with Lane in heaven, sir, as I don’t think there’s a “Club” up there.
Bud Zink, yes a legend in life and will be missed by many. I never worked with Bud, but knew him well. My condolences to his family and RIP my friend.
Rudyu McTee
Bud was a great Fire Captain and a Great Man All the comments above are so true and I had the opportunity to work for him til he retired. I first met Bud he was Squad 4 Captain in early 80’s. No Haz Mat crap yet, just fires.
He was amazing to watch cuz he was probably the biggest strongest fireman that I ever worked with a Great leader. I was in the office when Kemper walked in with the peanut butter sandwich, after that happen Lane never rode the the Truck again Bud was pissed. I can sit here and type all night great memories with Capt.
Sir Rest in Peace You and all the guys from Fire Station 10 can catch up and have lots of laughs up in Heaven
My first assignment, out of the tower, was Truck 11-A and the Captain was big Stan Overby..He told me to follow Bud at fires and do whatever he tells me. i learned a lot from Bud and later on he was my relief at 4’s.. Got to know him better with off duty activities.
RIP Bud
Bud was my Skipper on Squad 4 for a number of years. What a great leader he was! Being young on the department, all of us assigned to the Squad at that time, learned a great deal from him. He made us better firemen! We went to a lot of fires and gained such valuable experience with him. Handball was a whole different thing. Bud had hands like paddles, fingers as big as brats and could make that ball do magic on the court. He was big and quick and could cover the court in a few steps. We all tried but I don’t think we ever gave him much of a game. Motorcycle riding was fun with him. Working on hardwood floors was a great learning experience for us. Bud was a gentle giant and forever a legend on the LAFD. Glen and all the Zink family I wish you much sympathy for your loss. Bud will truly be missed but never forgotten!
I worked with Bud and his son over the years. When I was a rookie at 11’s the Truck company had the tallest guys I’d ever seen. I remember the size of Bud’s hands so it’s no wonder he was so great at handball.
I have many happy memories serving with Bud and my condolences go to his family and friends. It’s a great loss and he will be missed.
So sorry to hear of Buds passing. My brother and I had the good fortune of growing up and vacationing with the Zinks for many years before we became LAFD FireFighters. Bud was a gentle giant on and off the job. So many great memories….. my father and Bud we’re handball partners for many years and built a strong reputation over the years. My heart goes out to the Zink family for your loss. A Great Man , and a great loss. RIP BUD