Herbert "Bud" Runyan

Herbert Caples ( Bud ) Runyan Our loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle, Bud Runyan passed away peacefully on November 8th, 2023.

He was born Herbert Lee Caples Jr. on January 18, 1933. He lost his father at age one. When his mother Mildred Erickson remarried, he became Herbert Caples ‘Bud’ Runyan. He grew up in Vancouver with many friends and family. He attended Harney and Lincoln Elementary, Shumway Jr High and graduated from Vancouver HS in 1950. He attended Pacific Lutheran College. He met the love of his life, Ethel Allen at age 15 and married on November 29, 1952 - 75 years as friends and soul mates.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years Ethel Allen Runyan, children Jeanette Caples, Cindy Runyan(Scott), Jim Runyan (Cristy), Gerry Runyan, David Runyan, Victoria Unanue (Rotary exchange student hosted in 1972), 15 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, sister Geri Hiller and many nieces and nephews.

Bud worked at Runyans Jewelry Store in Vancouver until 1973. The family then moved to Santa Monica, California. He became a certified gemologist in 1974. The family moved to Salt Lake City where he worked for New York jewelry companies traveling the intermountain area. They moved to Ocean Park in 1990. Bud worked part-time at the Megler visitor information center as ‘Mayor of Dismal Nitch’. Bud was a choir director and singer throughout the Vancouver area. He joined the Mazama’s in 1959. He was involved in Toastmasters, Rotary, Boy Scouts, Brahm singers, St Paul’s Lutheran Churches in Vancouver WA and Santa Monica CA, Zion Lutheran Church SLC and Ocean Park Lutheran Church. He participated in several plays on the peninsula, volunteered at the Willapa Bay Inter Center and Community Table.

He lived a very active life and thrived being outdoors. Along with his family spent many happy years hiking, backpacking, climbing NW peaks and exploring off the beaten track. They also liked to travel and visited Canada, Europe, South America, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and much of the United States. He was a very selfless person who cared deeply for others and will be remembered as a kind and loving family man with a strong faith in God and the church. His love of music, dancing and adventure lives on in his family.

An open house in his honor will be held at Ocean Park Lutheran Church, 24002 U Street Nov 26 from 11am to 2pm. yodel-le-he-hoo!!