Jack Mulhern made a heartfelt tribute to Bud Peth, long time member of The Rotary Club of Bellingham, who passed away, Tuesday, March 10 at the age of 90. He has been a Rotarian for 40 years with membership in the Bellingham Rotary Club for 29 years (1972-1976 & 1990-2015) and Oak Harbor for 11 years (1979-1990). He became a Paul Harris Fellow October 2009. Bud was a dedicated participant in the Bellingham Rotary club and made many dear friends over the years who will miss his consistent presence at the weekly meetings. Bud leaves behind him a legacy of dedication and charitable contribution to the community.
When he graduated from high school he enlisted in the Army Air Corp in Nov 1942 and entered into active service in Feb 1943. He trained as a crewman on B-24 bombers. Bud mobilized to the European Theater with the 15th Air Force, 827th Squadron, 484th bombardment group, based in Torretta Italy and flying missions for battles and campaigns in Rome-Arno Southern France, North Apennines Central Europe Rhineland and Air Combat Balkans.
He and his crew completed 26 successful bombing missions in their B-24 Liberator before being shot down over Hungary on mission 27. After bailing out of the severely damaged B-24, Bud was captured with other crew members by German forces and marched around Germany and interred in several prison camps. The airplane limped on and crash landed in allied territory and the flight crew eventually made it back to their base, but the crew from the back of the plane was in enemy hands until the end of the war when liberated by Allied forces.
These life defining events made Bud Peth the solid, stoic, self contained individual that he was throughout the rest of his life. After the war, with time to recover from the physical wear and tear of wartime prisoner life, Bud started his family with his beautiful young wife, LaMoine Holmes of Mount Vernon, WA and in 1948, his son, Richard F. Peth, Jr was born followed by his daughter Martinia J. Peth in 1954. Bud attended college and received his diploma in Accounting and went to work for Pic Sweet in Mount Vernon. Later he went to work for Pacific Coast Paper Mill (Georgia Pacific) in Bellingham and after that he worked as Comptroller at St. Joesph's Hospital in Bellingham, Evergreen Hospital in Woodinville, then finished his career as Business Manager in Oak Harbor School District when he retired. LaMoine passed away in 1982.
Throughout his life, Bud enjoyed boating with his family and over the years participated in the Bellingham Yacht Club and Wheel and Keel boating activities, spending a lot of time in the San Juan Islands. He kept his boat in immaculate condition and loved taking people on cruises. Over the last 30 years, Bud spent a lot of time with his companion and dear friend, Therese Jones, hiking in the mountains and joining in on Back Country Horseman events.
Bud is survived by his son Rick (Heather) and daughter, Marti (Keith), all of whom will miss him dearly. He was especially delighted with his three grandchildren, Justin(Jennie), Laura(Russ) and Brian(Kendra) and the two new great granddaughters, Emma Elizabeth Slattery, 6 months (daughter of Justin and Jennie) and McKenna Rae Slattery, 1 month (daughter of Brian and Kendra). Bud was always fond of his niece Diane Kruger and nephew Doug Helde and their families.
His graveside service was Tuesday, March 17th at Bayview Cemetery.
Board of Directors meeting March 12, 2015
President Brad opened the meeting, explaining that we will be reviewing the 2015-2016 Budget at our next Board meeting and had Sandee review the portion of our dues that goes to Rotary International and District for dues, Rotarian magazine and insurance. Out of the $350 annually for “Dues” portion we pay them $108.35 annually. The Budget discussion will continue at the April 9, 2015 Board meeting.
Paul Grey attended the meeting to present a request to approve an International Service Grant recommendation sponsored by Yvonne Cartwright in the amount of $1,000. The Khayelitsha Project. Khayelitsha is a township in Western Cape Town, South Africa, located on the Cape Flats in the City of Cape Town. It is the largest and fastest growing township in South Africa. There are funds in their budget carried over from last year. It was unanimously approved by the Board.
Paul also made a report on the committee’s plans for next year. They would like to continue working with the Uganda Rotary Club on other projects in the Village and are looking at possibilities. A follow-up trip by Rotary Club of Bellingham members is being planned with possibly 5 or more Rotarians going.
Rotary International wants to do a case study on the current project in Buffujja which has supplied clean water to 6,000 villagers.
Chuck Snyder suggested looking at trying to put together an “International Project” in Bellingham for our 100th Anniversary possibly involving the other Whatcom County Rotary Clubs.
President-Elect, Chuck Snyder, is starting to put together his committees for the 2015-2016 Rotary Year. Chuck would like each member to be personally contacted and the board has agreed to have everyone contact approximately 14 members and ask them the following questions to be completed by the end of March:
- We want to have you be active in areas of the club that you are most interested in, so here is the first question:
What is your preferred area of interest in club activities, and if you have a committee preference, what might that be?
- What could the club do that would make Rotary more engaging or interesting for you?
- Do you have any ideas for things we can do in 2017 to properly celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary?
He would also like to have all members participate in an upcoming District Survey. All members will be emailed shortly by the district. For those who are not comfortable filling it out by computer, there will be computers available at the meetings to help you.
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