Movora and AO Foundation Enter Strategic Collaboration to Advance Veterinary Education

We all knew him as Bud Fackelman, one of our early pioneers in equine orthopedic and trauma surgery. Born in Freeport, NY, he went on to Cornell University, where he graduated as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. All who knew him, also knew Kate, his late wife and faithful companion in all his endeavors.  

Bud’s career was unique. After graduation he spent a short time in small animal practice and after marrying in 1964, the couple took the adventure to move to Nigeria for 3 years, where he worked with USAID to found the veterinary school at Ahmadu Bello University. His further adventures took him to Switzerland, where he completed his surgical residency in the equine clinics and then worked as senior assistant under Prof. Amman and later under Prof. Müller. He was one of the early members of the newly founded AO Vet, where he helped establishing the principles developed of human patients to horses. Within a short period of time, he was not only proficient in German but spoke Swiss German like a native. That's when his Swiss family (also called “Swiss Mafia”) took shape – Gaby being the daughter of his neighbors and friends in Russikon, Jörg being a student at the University of Zürich, Brigitte being a student at the Fracture repair courses in Davos and Rainer following later as life partner of Gaby and editor of the first e-Book in equine fracture repair (AO/ASIF). The Swiss connection took us all to Pennsylvania, where Bud, in 1973, became the director of the New Boulton Center and Professor of Large Animal Orthopedic Surgery. Bud was frequent lecturer at the AO Vet Courses and together with Jörg Auer, at that time his Resident, developed the first AO Videos for practical exercises on cadaveric equine limbs. In 1970 he moved on to Tufts University as Professor of Equine Orthopedic Surgery, being involved in developing the student curriculum, designing and supervising the building of the large animal hospital facility. In 1993 Bud also supported the newly arising European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) as examiner and lecturer for the equine section. 

After Tufts, Life took other turns for Bud and Kate. Little Lyford Camps took them literally to the woods, where they spent several years hosting tourists who wanted to experience first-hand life in nature and engaging in preserving Maine’s forest and untouched nature. Bud and Kate’s last years were spent in Wyoming during the summer, and New Mexiko during winter. When his beloved companion Kate died in 2020, Bud’s mind had already wandered off to places, where we all couldn’t follow anymore. Bud spent his final years near his daughter, Paula, before he finally passed away on November 15th, 2025.

Our mentor and life-long friend left for good. Bud was instrumental in shaping our lives – he will always be in our minds as the man who facilitated our careers. Memories skiing in Davos during the AO/ASIF courses over lunch breaks elicit laughter, falls in deep snow, and the “Grappa” in the restaurant before the final run down the mountains – he used to call it “Kurven-Öl (oil for the curves)”. We wish him all the “Kurven-Öl” he needs for his final journey.

Brigitte von Rechenberg
Jörg and Anita Auer
Gaby and Rainer Egle

Obituary for Gustave E. Fackelman | Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home