The highest honor we can bestow upon a member of
the CPOA is our Gold Lifetime Member Award. In August 1987, the Association bestowed this
honor on "Bud" for his dedication, loyalty and devotion to the Organization. His
hard work and dedication, during a crisis time, were instrumental in bringing the CPOA
back to fiscal responsibility while on the brink of bankruptcy.
Bud first became active in the National CPOA in
1976 when he was invited to run for National Treasurer on a slate of candidates which
included Glenn Lambert, Bill Schott, and Terry McCarthy. He had distinguished himself as
an activist in the Governors Island Chapter and, when asked to join a slate of candidates
running on a reform and reconstruction platform, did not hesitate to jump onboard. In the
two years he served as treasurer, we went from a near defunct association, nearly $30,000
in debt, to basically what we are today. His part in this cannot be overstated. As
Treasurer, he challenged every expenditure that was to be made, no matter how worthy, and
approved or disapproved only after a thorough review was accomplished.
During these troubled times of rebuilding, many
people worked ceaselessly as a team to get things done. It was not easy and certainly not
everyone agreed. The National Council often had strong disagreements on priorities and
procedures and as Treasurer, Bud sometimes took a strong stand on what we could and could
not do. After all was said and done, and the vote taken, Bud always spoke in unison with
the majority. His willingness and ability to work as a team member and to put personal
feelings aside, served as an example for all of us to emulate. We were lucky to have him.
Bud started his military career with a 4 year stint
in the US Navy but found the CG more to his liking. He enlisted in the USCG in April 1958
to start his 30 year CG career serving at Base St. Louis and then on to ET School at
Groton, CT. After graduation, he was assigned to the Repair Shop, Base Wood Hole, MA;
LORAN Station, Estartit, Spain; Mobile, AL; CG Base, St. Petersburg; LORAN Station, Naulo
Point, Philippines; LORAN Station, Fally Beach, SC; LORAN Station, Sattahike, Thailand;
Base New Orleans; LORAN Station, Bermuda; and finally Training Center, Governors Island,
NY.
In 1978, he retired from the CG and moved to
Florida where he started work as a long distance truck driver for North American Van
Lines. His employment with North American Van Lines terminated when he suffered a heart
attack. He then went to work for the National Education Corporation at Tampa Technical
Institute teaching electronics, computer engineering and technology. In March 1992,
medical disabilities forced him to terminate all employment and he then stayed at home
playing with and thoroughly enjoying his grandchildren.
Bud passed away on 13 March 1997, at age 63,
leaving behind his wife Joyce, a daughter, a son, a daughter in law, and 3 grandchildren.
As he had requested, his ashes were scattered at sea.
QMC Frank Albright, USCG, Retired, represented the
National Council at the ceremony.
