From the Wrestling Observer:

“Paul Perschmann, aka Playboy Buddy Rose, was found dead today by his wife at his home in Portland, OR. No cause of death is known at this time, though he told people that he had been having blood sugar issues with his diabetes of late. Buddy worked for both WWF and AWA and was one of the great stars of Don Owen’s Portland Wrestling. He helped groom a lot of wrestlers both in the ring (including Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty in an early tag feud with partner Doug Somers) and later at his wrestling school, which he operated until recently with “Colonel DeBeers” Ed Wiskoski. Both Buddy and Ed were honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club in 2004. He holds the honor of being in the first-ever WrestleMania match on March 31st, 1985, as the masked Executioner, losing to Tito Santana. More info on his life and career is available at his website, which is located here.“

We’ll always have the memories of your great matches against Piper and Backlund, and we will NEVER forget this little piece of hilarity…

Farewell, big guy… farewell.