Erdwin Henry 'Bud' Pfuhl Jr., 85
Erdwin Henry “Bud” Pfuhl Jr., of Kalispell, passed away March 14, 2013, due to brain cancer.
Bud was born on March 8, 1928, in Hartford, Conn., the son of Erdwin Henry Pfuhl Sr., and Anastasia Hussey Pfuhl.
After his mother died when he was only three, he and his father moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., to live with family. As a teenager, he attended and graduated from Tobyhanna Township High School in Pocono Pines, Pa.
In 1946, he enlisted and served two years in the U.S. Navy. In 1948, Bud moved out to San Francisco. He worked two years for the Southern Pacific Railroad and during that time his interest in sociology was sparked. He attended two years at San Mateo Junior College and then went on to Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., where he continued his study of sociology, graduating in 1952. It was also at Whitman that Bud met his future wife, Joan Haselton. They were married in 1953.
After Whitman, the couple moved to Idaho where Bud enrolled in the masters program at the University of Idaho in Moscow. A masters of sociology was achieved in 1954. His thirst still unquenched, it was then on to a doctorate degree from Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. He was awarded his Ph.D. in sociology in 1961. While completing his requirements for the Ph.D., Bud and Joan relocated back to Walla Walla where he worked as an assistant professor at Whitman. It was there they had their three children, Christopher John in 1957, Stacey Ann in 1959, and Lisa Amanda in 1961.
Over the years, his teaching career also took him to the University of Vermont in Burlington, and Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. Bud was also credited with writing achievements — articles in sociological journals as well as three textbooks. Beginning in 1972, the family's summers were spent at Glacier National Park where Bud worked as a seasonal ranger. A total of 16 years were spent there, which Bud described as his “best time,” eight years at Lake McDonald and eight years as the back country ranger at Logging Creek Ranger Station. A major accomplishment and source of pride for him was in 1987, getting the Logging Creek Ranger Station placed on the National List of Historic Places.
Upon retirement, Bud and Joan moved to Swan Lake, into a home he helped to build. Here he stayed very active with interests in woodworking, carving, furniture making, cross country skiing, hiking, golfing and spending much-loved time with his many friends. Their Swan Lake home was and continues to be a favorite venue for family activities, holding many cherished memories.
Bud was a good man and will be missed by all who knew him.
Bud leaves his wife, Joan, of 59 years; son, Christopher of Minneapolis; daughter, Stacey Neary-Gould and husband, Dan, of Kalispell; daughter, Lisa Mills and husband, Bill, of Denver; and brother, Jan Pfuhl and wife, Diane, of San Francisco. He also leaves six grandchildren, Katri Pfuhl, Robert and Elizabeth Neary, and Amy, Lauren and Andrew Mills. Bud always felt his children and grandchildren were his greatest legacy.
A celebration of life is planned this summer at the family's home on Swan Lake.
Memorials may be made to the Glacier Symphony and Chorale, 720 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901, an organization Bud strongly supported and enjoyed during his life.
The family also wishes to gratefully acknowledge Immanuel Lutheran Home for the care given to Bud during his final days.
“Do not cry because it's over, smile because it happened at all.”
Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.