Charles F. Buddy ( October 4, 1887 – March 6, 1966 ) was born in St Joseph. He was a prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the first bishop of the new Diocese of San Diego in California from 1936 until his death in 1966. Buddy built what is today the University of San Diego, including a women’s college, a men’s college, a law school, a theological seminary, a basilica for the chapel and offices for the diocese. Buddy received his early education in St. Joseph attending parochial school and Christian Brother’s High School. He went to St. Benedict’s College in Aitchison, Kansas and St. Mary’s College. Following his graduation from St. Mary’s in 1909 he began is studies for priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1911 and a licentiate in theology in 1913. He was ordained a priest in 1914 in Rome. He returned to St Joseph in 1915 and was assigned a curate at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in St Joseph. He was also named diocese and secretary. He resigned from both positions after a serious case of influenza in 1919. After regaining his health, he served as rector of the St. Joseph Cathedral from 1926 to 1936. In 1930, Buddy founded St. Vincent’s Cafeteria and Shelter for the homeless. He also established St. Augustine’s Parish, the first Catholic parish for African Americans in Northern Missouri. He was also very active in many community activities. In 1936, Buddy was appointed the first bishop of the Diocese of San Diego by Pope Pius Xl. The new diocese was located in southern California and included several counties. In 1939, Buddy declared that “ the world is in a stupor from an overdose of materialism”. He built the University of San Diego in 1949 and also served as its first president from 1950 to 1966.