Good-bye to Bud

Here we are; the Pedersen children and most of the grand kids saying goodbye to Bud on December 29, 2011. Bud's house is located on 10 acres of land out in Lakeside with much of the acreage being foothills. His house is located closer to the bottom of the lot where he built his dome house on a nice level pad of ground. It is very wooded and you can see where this was prime land of the Kumeyaay Indians.

Before going to Lakeside though we had a lovely service at our church where about 50 folks showed up. Dan and I were so touched by the attendance of some of our church friends and some of Bud's long time attorney colleagues and friends from the Barona Indian Reservation. The music was wonderful and our pastor, Greg West, gave a wonderful message and tribute to Bud. Family member's spoke as well.

After the service and a light luncheon in our church hall, we headed out to Lakeside where Ron now lives. He actually lives in Bud's house and has for many years. When Bud first bought the property about 35 years ago, Ron lived there as well. Eventually, Ron left the place and lived on his own, but it is neat to see him back there again. Ron searched for the perfect spot to scatter his dad and found a place about half way up the hill. He spent hours creating a trail to hike on with narrow switchbacks. The hike up was killer for some of us, but the view from up there is spectacular!

We laid the ashes to rest so to speak and our pastor, who drove out for the occasion, read some scripture and then everyone got the chance to place some of the dirt over the trench of ashes. It was just beautiful. We placed one of Bud's flight logs and a navigational tool in the ground with him. Then we hiked down the hill and had some refreshments, reminisced, and spent time wandering around the land at all the places we remembered from times when the kids all played there. Great memories. Ron said he was sure Dad would want everyone to be together out there.

Afterward, we headed for our house to watch old home movies of Bud, his children, and grand kids on family vacations out at Lake Powell. I guess we ended the evening around 10 p.m. as everyone was flying out beginning at 6 a.m. the next morning. It was a bittersweet way to end out the year. But Bud is in a better place-he is resting with our Lord and we shall see him again one day soon and then for eternity. His new body isn't damaged with asthma nor Alzheimer. He is truly free. We miss him and will always miss him.