Dr. Philip T. "Bud" Fleuchaus , age 94, died peacefully Thursday, November 4, 2021, surrounded by his family. As a prominent oral surgeon, a banking entrepreneur, and an inspiring civic leader, he lead an amazing life.

P.T. Bud was born on August 2, 1927 in Bronx, New York. He graduated from Columbia University while starring in football, basketball, and baseball. He was so athletic, he was recruited by professional baseball teams, but made the fortuitous decision to enter a more traditional career. After training in the U.S. Navy as an aviation cadet, he received his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951 and his Master of Science in Dentistry from the University of Minnesota in 1954. Bud then joined the Armed Forces again as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1956, where he served as a reserve. When he moved his growing family to Daytona Beach in 1956 he opened his oral surgery practice and began a lifetime of service to this community.

PT Bud's initial one-doctor practice eventually grew into the acclaimed Florida Oral & Facial Surgical Associates. He expanded the business by opening branches in New Smyrna Beach and Palm Coast, and increased the services to include cosmetic surgery. It is rare to meet anyone in the area who has not had their wisdom teeth removed by one of his team members. The primary reason for his practices' success has been PT Bud's drive for excellence and his ability to inspire his co-workers to do the same. His work ethic instilled so much loyalty that many of his nurses stayed with him for over 20 years. Bud continuously expanded his knowledge by publishing scientific papers, volunteering for oral surgery committees, and pioneering new surgical skills; he was the first surgeon in the area to install dental implants. A natural leader, Bud served in prominent positions in his profession, including Chief of the Department of Maxillofacial Trauma for the Halifax District Hospital (1960-1986), President of the Florida Society of Oral Surgeons (1967), and the President of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1977). PT Bud retired in 2006 at the age of 79 after 50 years as an oral surgeon.

During the early part of his career, in the 1960's and 1970's Bud volunteered on the SS Hope, a ship organized by Project Hope that brought medical care to underserved countries. He served in Indonesia and Viet Nam (1961), Peru (1962), Guinea (1964), and Ceylon (1968), and was the Chairman of the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Section of the ship from 1962-1976.

Perhaps PT Bud's greatest accomplishment was the adoption of the Volusia County Charter government in 1969. Because of entrenched political corruption in Volusia County, PT Bud chaired a commission to study the feasibility of creating a more democratic process for governing the county. The commission developed a framework for the county that resulted in the Volusia County Charter which was approved by popular vote in 1969. As a testament to the enduring legacy of this work, the charter has since been used as a model for good government by many counties around the country. PT maintained his interest in the county charter: he was Chairman of the Volusia County Council in 1980 and 1984, and served on committees to review the charter every few years.

With his success in local politics, PT Bud set his sights nationally by running as the Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in 1972. He lost the campaign, but that only served to focus his considerable leadership abilities on local issues. He was a founding member of the Civic League of the Halifax Area (1963), a member of the Daytona Beach Rotary for 15 years and the Program Chair for eight years, former president (1990-1991) and member of the Tiger Bay Club of Volusia County, past chairman and member of the Ormond Beach Recreation and Volusia County Beach Advisory Boards, and past president of the Halifax Area Kiwanis Club (1964). He was on the boards of many local institutions, including The Museum of Arts & Sciences (where he was president from 1970-1971), Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and Daytona State College.

At an age when most people start slowing down, PT Bud developed an interest in community finance, and in 1990 with a group of investors, he started Tomoka State Bank. It's success lead to three more banks where he was the CEO: Peninsula State Bank (1995-1997), Center State Bank (1997-2005), and Gateway Bank (2006-2017). Inspiring loyalty once again, all of his bank directors remained with him in each new endeavor.

PT Bud won so many professional and civic awards he ran out of room to display them - and there is not nearly enough room to list them all here. The highlights include: the Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award (1962) and the Good Government Award (1970) from the Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce; the J Saxon Distinguished Community Service Award from the Civic League Halifax area (2007); the Daytona Beach Rotarian of the Year Award (2018); and the Presidential Achievement Award from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (1997). Most exciting was when the Volusia County Council proclaimed March 22, 2011 to be Dr. Philip Fleuchaus Day.

Having too much energy to idle away his free time, Bud spent many weekends as an uber competitor in tennis and golf. He was very engaged with his children and grandchildren and taught them how to be fun-loving and fearless, like him. He traveled the world with his wife, Susanne, frequently stopping in NYC to attend a Yankees game. Yet he always loved returning home to Ormond Beach, where he lived for over 60 years.

PT Bud wasn't born great and he didn't have greatness thrust upon him - he achieved greatness through his own efforts in helping his community. Sadly, they don't make men like him anymore.

Dr. Fleuchaus is survived by his wife, Susanne; his children, Ann, Jon (Libby), Leslie (John), Julie (Danny), Melanie, and Stefanie (Marc); and his grandchildren, Wes and Sam.

A Celebration of Bud's Life will be held at Lohman Funeral Home Ormond on November 20, 2021 at 3 pm, followed by a continuation of the Celebration at Oceanside Country Club beginning at 4:30 pm. Memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Fleuchaus' honor to the Jerry Doliner Food Bank (470 Andalusia Avenue, Ormond Beach, 32174, http://jewishfederationdaytona.org/jerry-doliner-food-bank/ ) and the Salvation Army (1555 LPGA Blvd, Daytona Beach, 32117, https://salvationarmyflorida.org/daytona/ ). Arrangements are under the direction of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond, 733 W. Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach.  Condolences and memories are welcome to be shared here at our online guestbook.