Robert Renfro's Eulogy

Letter from Edgar Jenks

Hello, Goodbye

You say goodbye and I say hello, hello, hello
I don't know why you say goodbye I say hello, hello, hello

So I won't say goodbye...instead I'll say hello to the wonderful memory of a good and generous man, Bud Baltzell. Bud enjoyed his friends and he always kept in touch.

The last real conversation we had was during a party at his house last September. About thirty people from all over were out in the back yard doing what Bud's friends do best ... having a great time and retelling the old stories. Merry pranksters gnarled by time yet with perfect recall about who did what and how it all seemed to magically work out in the most unusually funny way.

Harry Yost and the Hawaiian princess, towing a car in Mexico only to loose control and have the car pass them and crash, pranks big and small and all done in a good natured, ultimately harmless way.

Through it all, decades of it, Bud had the inner drive to get up in the morning and to to work in his trade.

His genuine kindness inspired a younger generation ...my nephew Robert particularly. Somehow Bud instilled the better things that came out of the '60s into his everyday life. Bud taught me many things about right living and how to accept people's differences. He was a big tent, now sadly closed.

So with fond and affectionate memories I say HELLO...

Edgar Jenks

Farewell Gathering - November 18th - You Say Goodbye and I Say Hello

Farewell Gathering, Sunday November 18th
Burbank Holiday Inn Crystal View Lounge (18th Floor)
150 E Angeleno Ave
Burbank, CA 91502
(800) 465-4329

From 1pm - 4pm

Click here for map

Ernest Baltzell | March 22, 1940 - October 21, 2007

Newly added at bottom.

Bud's Obituary

March 22, 1940 - October 21, 2007

Ernest "Buddy" Vern Baltzell passed on October 21, 2007. Son to Ernest Bryan Baltzell and Gladys (Mong) Baltzell.

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska - raised in Los Angeles, California and settled in West Covina, California where he departed peacefully.

Graduate of Hollywood High in 1957. Served in the Army's 101 Airborne. Hobbies included skiing, fishing trips, bungee jumping in New Zealand, and hosting the famous West Covina Labor Day Party.

Bud worked as a lithographer for over 30 years.

Buddy represented our nation's Veterans for Peace, Live Better Work Union, and as Grandaddy, Bud brought truth in humor, a big smile and lots of love for the next generation.

Survived by three wonderful sisters, a son, Robert Renfro, a daughter, Michelle Swetkovich, and five grandchildren.

Ernest's celebration of life will be held on November 18th, at the Burbank Holiday Inn Crystal View Lounge, 150 E Angeleno Ave, Burbank, CA 91502.

Condolences can be added at www.BudBaltzell.com