Cory Leffler Memorial

About the Cory Thomas “Bud” Leffler Memorial Scholarship: Cory Thomas “Bud” Leffler was born to Tom and Patty Leffler in Emporia, Kansas on October 18, 1987. Cory died while cutting firewood on the farm July 25, 2009 at the young age of 21 years, from a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Cory really enjoyed cutting firewood, as well as the outdoors, off-roading in his Scout, then repairing his Scout, and also spending time with family and friends. Cory graduated from Augusta High School in 2006 and then attended Kansas State University, majoring in mechanical engineering, for one year. He found that K-State and engineering were not a good fit for him and decided to switch tracks. Cory transferred to Butler Community College and graduated with honors in May 2008, earning a certificate in Welding Technology. In the spring of 2008 Cory also received his Tube Welding Certification (6-G Position) with the Boilermakers Local 83. He passed this test, which is considered the second hardest position test, on his very first try. After graduation, Cory spent the last 13 months of his life working as a welder and apprentice machinist at Four Mile Carriage and Machine Shop in Emporia, Kansas. Dave Tucker, Cory’s welding instructor at Butler and mentor post-graduation, said, “If God has something broke up there, he picked the right man to fix it.” We believe he’s right, and that Cory must have a lot of work to do since he had to leave us at such a young age.