We were so sorry to learn that Bud has passed away. We'll miss seeing his smiling face when we arrive at the Ecola Inn in May. We have many great memories of Bud. Among other things, we always looked forward to seeing him walking the dogs, with Bud walking briskly, ramrod straight. He was Cannon Beach personified to us, and I think that we love the place almost as much as Bud did.
Our sincere condolences to Jeanette, Sally and Mike. We know you will miss him greatly, but we also know that you have countless wonderful memories of him, and he will live on in those memories.
In the fall of 2001, my husband Chris and I (newly moved to the Northwest) made our first trip to Cannon Beach. We had a room at Surf and Sands, a room which had a narrow view of the water past Ecola Inn and the Wayfarer. One evening I decided to take my martini with me to watch sunset. I sat down on a log along with another woman. I asked where she was staying, and she pointed just behind us to the Ecola Inn. I said that I would like to stay there sometime. She laughed, explained about generations coming to this place, and said, "Someone would have to die for you to get a room." I went and spoke with Bud to have him put our name on a list, telling him about what the woman had said. In late winter, I received a call from Bud, saying, "You are in luck, somebody died.!" This was the beginning of many wonderful stays for us, our family and friends, for which we are extremely grateful to Bud and his family. We are just sorry that this time it is Bud who has left the vacancy in our hearts and minds.
As Jeanette's roommate, I remember when she worked in the restauarant so she could be near Bud. She took me to visit his mother. When the marriage happened, I was privileged to be the maid of honor. I enjoyed many meals with them and sat behind the stove in the kitchen during the dinner hour talking with Bud during his "in-be-tween" moments. His enthusiastic spirit was a joy to be around. His cooking was a joy to eat. He will be missed. My condolences to Jeanette and the children.
My family have been coming to Cannon Beach since I was 2ish. We stayed at Nesh Shack's later called Pace'es Places. Being across the "drain creek" as we called it fondly back then filled with slimy goop my brother and I braved crossing the run off balancing on logs and whatever in fear of falling in and being covered by the "green slime monster for our orange sherbet ice cream at the Ecola Resturant. We choose to go to the Ecola Resturant rather than across the street to the ice cream shop because it was always a game to see just how long before the "white haired lady" would sweetly but firmly ask us to leave as we were touching all the pretty shells on sale in baskets not even considering the orange sherbet dripping. After many years later and coming to Ecola Inn I learned that Bud made the great fries and the white haired lady is mom!
Bud, you and your family have provided my family then and now with so many years of wonderful memories. In good times and bad I have always been able to return to CB and the Ecola Inn for a "breath of fresh air" and regroup. Without your understanding of how important being able to "escape" even for a week at a time my life would never be as complete as it is today. I thank you and your family. I will truly miss seeing your smile and your bright yellow fleece and the wisdom you gave to us all.
Kathy Pierce
