Early in the morning of November 24, 2012 Vernon Edgar ‘Bud’ Clinch, a loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away in ST Peters Hospital after a six month battle against lung cancer. Bud was 82 at the time of his death.
Bud was born on October 30, 1930 in Butte Montana, the second of three children to Vernon Marion and Margaret Helen Clinch. Bud’s family moved to Helena and was living in Helena at the time of the big earthquake. After the death of his father Vernon, Bud’s family moved back to Butte to live with his Grandparents Anthony and Edith Clinch in their boarding house. During those summers Bud worked on several different ranches in the Butte area and in the Big Hole Valley.
Bud attended ST Patrick’s School and graduated from Butte Central in 1948. Bud enrolled at Montana Tech in 1948 and then transferred to Carroll College in the fall of 1949. At Carroll, Bud was a starting guard on the football team, editor of the student newspaper and was a member of the debate team. Bud graduated from Carroll in 1952 with a BA in History.
At Carroll Bud met his future wife and soul-mate Beverly May Brady of Helena. Bud and Bev were married on June 28, 1952 at ST Helena’s Cathedral.
In 1953 Bud began his service in the US Navy and was stationed in San Francisco, CA at the Main Navy Radio Station.
After his time in the Navy, Bud was hired by Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company where he worked for 27 years, traveling and working throughout Montana and also spending a six year stint in New Jersey working for Bell Laboratories. After retiring from Mountain Bell, Bud worked as an electronics teacher at the Helena College of Technology.
Bud and Bev brought 11 children into this world and Bud spent the majority of his non working time doing activities with his family including traveling to numerous soccer football and baseball games, gymnastics meets, band and chorus concerts and plays at Grandstreet Theatre. Bud also caught the acting bug and appeared in numerous plays including Fiddler on the Roof and My Fair Lady. Bud was active in Boy Scouts as a Scoutmaster, Cub Master and Roundtable Commissioner.
Bud enjoyed the family vacations at Montauk Point in New York and at Whitefish Lake. Bud also enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing. Bud was active in politics including being elected as a Borough Council Commissioner in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. He was always quick to comment about the actions of elected officials and wrote numerous letters to the editor.
Bud was preceded in death by his father Vernon Marion, mother Margaret, brother Thomas and sister Marian. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Beverly, Sons Mike (Jane), Pat (Shelly), Tim (Cynthia), Terry (Tracy), Kevin and Kelly (Tammy), daughters Catherine (Dan), Shannon (Joe), Maureen, Colleen and Sheilagh, thirty two grandchildren and one great grand child.
The family invites you to join them in a social gathering between the hours of 11:00 am and 1:00 pm Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Interment with military honors will take place at a later date at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery. Memorials in “Bud’s” name are suggested to Carroll College Athletics, 1601 N. Benton Ave. Helena, MT 59625 or to Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots, P.O. Box 6896 Helena, Montana 59604.
Service Schedule
Family and Friends Service
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday December 1, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family and Friends Service
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday December 1, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Don Neary says
My prayers are with the family at this time. One thing I always remember about Uncle Bud
was how involved and supportive he was in the activities of his children. If the definition of the word father were turned into a picture, it would be Bud.
Sincerely,
Don Neary
Rick Gray says
My prayers are with Bev and Bud’s family. I have good memories of working with Bud when we taught electronics at HCT. I enjoyed his intellect and many stories.
Keith Ori says
We would like to send our sincerest condolences to the Clinch family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Kate Cosgrove says
Shannon and family:
Pete and I are very sorry for your loss and send our deepest condolences. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Diane Armstrong says
Bev, I want to offer you and your family my condolences. So many years have passed since I’ve seen you but my years in Helena are remembered very fondly. Take care.
Gino Dunfee says
Pat, Shelley, Ryan and Sean: My condolences to you in the loss of your father and grandfather. May your memories keep him close to your heart.
Brian Cosgrove says
Our sincere condolences and prayers for Bud and his family.
Gretchen (Bird) Stenson says
I pray you find solace and peace in the warmth of loving embraces from those who loved him too. God bless you all.
Gretchen (Bird) Stenson
Charlie Rehbein says
May the peace and grace of God the Father bless your hearts during this time of loss. Bud was a joy and an encouragement to me during his tenure on the Governor’s Advisory Council and his friendship after his term ended. I was blessed to have known him.
You are in our prayers. May God bless your hearts and comfort you.
Beth (Gingery) Jankowski says
Shannon and family, condolences to you all – you will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Tricia McCreary says
I was so saddened to hear of Bud’s passing and my condolences and prayers are with you, Bev, and the rest of the family. I couldn’t have asked for a better neighbor in Helena. Bud always had a ready smile and kept me entertained with wonderful stories. God Bless and comfort you.
Steve Pinsoneault says
On behalf of my mother, Jean McNulty Pinsoneault, a cousin of Buds, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Bev and the family. Your husband, father, and grandfather
will leave many deep lasting memories in our hearts. May God Bless and keep you all.
Al Pipinich says
To the family of Bud Clinch,
Rest assured that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
I will always remember Bud as a fellow worker. On my first day on the job at the Telephone Company, he took me under his wing and made me feel like one of the guys.
John and Coleen Contos says
We are very sorry for your loss. We offer our condolences to your family. May God comfort you all.
Love from the John Contos family