ETHAN BUDD

"Ethan Budd is the rare person who approaches both keyboards and mountains with the same calm confidence and questionable regard for personal safety. Around the office, Ethan became legendary for fearlessly poking at complex systems, cheerfully volunteering for the messy parts, and somehow emerging with things easier (in some ways) for everyone else to use. If there was a new tool to try, a process to untangle, or an obscure problem that needed a curious mind and a steady hand, Ethan was usually already halfway through fixing it—often with a grin that suggested he was having far too much fun.

Outside of work, Ethan applied that same spirit of adventure in ways that caused colleagues to regularly double‑check his life insurance coverage. Skiing down slopes that looked more like suggestions than trails, and riding motorcycles with the same enthusiasm he brought to debugging, Ethan built a reputation for living life a bit faster than the rest of us. His legacy is one of curiosity, courage, and generosity—proof that you can be both wonderfully thoughtful and just a little bit reckless. Wherever Ethan goes next, things might work better, move faster, and probably involve at least one helmet."

- Mike Vance

"He was okay."

- Nick Battani

"Ethan is an unrelenting source of lore, combined with the most can-do attitude I've ever known. Wishing him luck in his next great business venture: the west coast's first Kwik Trip franchise!"

- Rob Berger

"Jackson Gerber once stated that there were three pillars to the lore of the hummus group: Rob, Ethan, and then everyone else crammed into one pillar. I don't know if a better analogy could have been devised.

Ethan created so much lore in his time at IBM, the effects are still being felt today. Every day spent with Ethan was a day well spent. You would always learn something new by hanging out with Ethan. Whether it be the patented technique of Mow Jogging™, the legend of the CurderBurger™, or rediscovering SLIC Shark for a new generation, you'd never have a dull day with Ethan. It's too bad IBM didn't give him more Rust work, and in the process lost their brightest mind. He will be missed."

- Parker Young

"When he started at IBM, Ethan was young, dumb, and looking to buy an airfryer. Now he's air frying steak, looking to start a run mowing business, and attemptiong to work from lake (pools are harder to come by in wa state). Godspeed son, see you in the next life."

- Ethan Budd