Alfred "Bud" Meek

On November 16, 2023, Alfred Edwin “Bud” Meek fired up his outboard motor for the final time and set a course for the other side to join the love of his life, Marie. Born on October 18, 1927 to Alfred T. Meek and Florence (Chapman) Meek, Bud was 96 years of age.  

Bud spent his childhood years with his father, fishing the rivers of Willapa Bay for sea run cutthroat trout.  North River and Smith Creek were their favorite spots.  In those days, there wasn’t a road from South Bend to these rivers so they would row their boats, timing the tide so not to work too hard on the oars.  Once they mistimed the tide, and instead of heading east to South Bend, they ended up in Tokeland.  Dad always said, “Thank God for Tokeland or we’d have ended up in Japan.”

As Bud grew older, his dislike for rowing became apparent and he became a fan of the “new-fangled outboard motor”.  His passion for fast boats led him to joining the local race circuit on the Willapa River.  Bud was known for his fearless racing tactics, and he won multiple trophies.  

Bud was a proud graduate of South Bend Highschool class of 1945.  He joined the United States Army in 1951 during the Korean war.  As a member of a medical division, he witnessed one of the first atomic blasts. 

Upon completion of his service, he returned to Willapa Harbor.  He gained employment with the Weyerhaeuser Company in Raymond, WA as an overhead crane operator in the shipping shed.  From accounts of several of his coworkers from that time, if there was a Mount Rushmore of overhead crane operators, Bud would surely be etched on it. 

In 1955, Bud married the Swiss Miss of all Swiss Misses, Marie Hellen Camenzind.  They bought a little pink house in Menlo, near the fairgrounds and raised three children, Karen, Ron and Dean. In 1968 the family moved to Raymond, WA. 

Bud went to work for Bayview Lumber Company in South Bend, WA for a good friend, Robert Bush.  In 1974 Mr. Bush sold his retail home center to Bud and Marie and it then became Bud’s Lumber Supply.  During this time, Bud and Marie built a float house that was tied up in the middle of North River.  They entertained many family and friends there.  They loved fishing, making fire wood, gathering mushrooms, smoking fish, listening to Swiss music and relaxing.

Bud was active in the Raymond Elks #1292 and The American Legion.  He was a Life Member of the Raymond Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a past president of the South Bend Chamber of Commerce. 

A trip to Switzerland, many cruises and motor homing to Seahawks games were highlights of their 68-year marriage.  They often had a grand kid with them in the motorhome and they never missed one of their children’s, grandson’s or nephew, Pat Rogers, sporting events.

After retirement, Bud’s favorite place to be was in the mineral hot spring pools at their place in Desert Hot Springs, CA.  Bud loved the warm, sunny weather and the friends they made at Caliente Hot Springs Resort each winter.

He is preceded in death by his wife Marie (Camenzind) Meek, sister Dorothy (Meek) Rogers and brother James (Martha) Meek, nephews Bobby Camenzind and Doug Camenzind. 

He is survived by a daughter Karen (Steve) Clements, sons Ron (Vicky) Meek and Dean (Cristina) Meek.

He is also survived by grandchildren Tom (Ayesha) Clements and great grandson Brooks Clements, Rob (Mary) Clements and great granddaughters Cady and Rory Clements, granddaughter Cassie Lynn and granddaughter Tori (Chris) Yokom and great grandchildren Solomon, Lincoln and Vayda Lynn Yokom.  

Surviving nieces and nephews are, Steve, Mike and Pat Rogers (George and Dorothy Meek Rogers), Louise (Camenzind) Bales, John and Michael Camenzind (Louie and Twyla Camenzind), Gina (Camenzind) Kolhage, Cindy (Camenzind) Stallard, Dawna (Camenzind) Robinson, Lori (Camenzind) Mcguire (Frank and Bernice Camenzind), Jerry Meek, Tony Meek, Ron G. Meek and Ilene (Meek) Cooley (James and Marty Meek).

As per Bud’s wishes there will be no service.  In lieu of flowers, Bud asks that memorial donations in his honor be made to a local charitable organization of your choice.