ALBERT RAE GERLACH
September 15, 1922 ~ November 17, 2016
Albert "Bud" Rea Gerlach was born Sept. 15, 1922 to Albert and Mary Sarah (Min) Rea Gerlach in Chicago, IL. In 1925, his family moved to Portland, OR where his father, a stained glass artist, worked for Povey Brothers Glass Co., a producer of stained glass windows.
Following high school, Bud served in the army in Europe during World War II.
After the war, he attended Oregon University and Lewis & Clark College, receiving a B.S. degree in music at Lewis & Clark.
Bud became a professional musician specializing in woodwind instruments, especially tenor saxophone, and joined Local 99 of the musician's union. In 1950, when his father opened the Albert Gerlach Studio, he joined the business and became expert at stained glass window repair while continuing to work in bands and combos.
Toward the end of his career, Bud met the love of his life, Peggy Buis, who was also a tenor sax player and played in several of the same bands as Bud. They married in 1987 and lived happily with their dog Daisy until Peggy developed cancer and passed away in 2004.
The last decade of Bud's life was spent battling illnesses in assisted living, aided by his stepdaughter, Jackie Peterson and her daughter, Leslie Prewitt. He passed away in Vancouver, WA on Nov. 17 at age 94.
In addition to Jackie Peterson and her family, Bud is survived by five nieces and their families and four first cousins and their families.
After cremation, his remains were laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery. There will be no service.
Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Toni H
November 29, 2016
The Scott family sends sincere condolences to Bud's family and friends. As is our Christmas tradition since the 1940s, we display an illuminated hand-crafted church with stained glass windows the Gerlachs made for us.
Wendy Scott
November 27, 2016
The best way to remember Bud Gerlach is to enjoy some live music somewhere. That is what he was all about. He was a great cousin and person.
Yolanda and Jay Waddell
November 26, 2016
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