Dr. Eugene (Bud) Strom passed into the loving arms of His Savior on May 17, 2017. Bud Strom was known throughout Skagit Valley, but known by many in his home town Anacortes and Guemes Island from his years of service as mayor, city councilman, port and hospital commissioners, and countless other positions, boards and service, civic, and charitable organizations. His dental practice spanned almost 40 years and he was a strong advocate for his community having served with the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, the Skagit Valley College Foundation, and his longstanding membership with the Anacortes Kiwanis Club.

Bud Strom shined most at the intersection of his love of faith, his country, his friends, and his family. To say Bud loved people was an understatement - he was the ultimate networker and loved nothing more than to share his friends and connect them with other friends. But his Christian faith was his foundation and he loved his church, Anacortes First Baptist, where he served for many years as Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and greeter. Bud simply loved to serve - including the Salvation Army – where he became one of the yearly iconic holiday sights ringing their charity bells around Anacortes businesses for many years. His faith was his identity and it was his hope that all would see God's love.

Bud Strom was born on October 4, 1922, on Guemes Island. He attended the one-room Guemes school house through eighth grade and then attended Anacortes High School where he graduated in 1941. He worked in the plywood mills of Anacortes and the Alaskan fish canneries to pay for his college education, where he hitch-hiked daily from Anacortes to Mt. Vernon to attend Skagit Valley Junior College. After two years, he transferred to the University of Washington where he graduated with a B.S. in Physics – he was a proud Husky and Sigma Nu fraternity brother and would willingly sing the Husky fight song whenever asked! In 1943 Bud became a weather officer in the US Navy and attended Officers Candidate School at the University of Notre Dame and meteorological training at UCLA before serving in Guam for over year as a weather officer in the Pacific Theatre through the end of World War II.

After the war, he enrolled at the University of Washington's School of Dentistry and received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 1950, he then moved back home to Anacortes to establish his dental practice. It was then his leadership abilities shined as he served in many organizations and local elected offices, including mayor. Along with his dear friend and newspaper owner Wallie Funk, he helped Anacortes win the coveted national "All-American City" award in 1958 and after this championed bringing industry and jobs to Skagit County, showcased by attracting the Shell and Texaco oil refining companies to Anacortes.

In 1955, he married Jeri Borseth - his wife of over 60 years. Together they were an amazing team raising four children: Teri Ramsey of Anacortes, Sandi McKenzie of Mill Creek, Karen (K-K) Iversen of Clinton, and Erik Strom of Seattle. He has eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Dr. Thomas and Alice Brooks of Anacortes, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bud was a man of many words! He loved to talk, share, and laugh. He was always encouraging and always positive and he lived out this attitude wherever he could. He loved a good joke, loved to discuss politics (especially Republican politics), loved his Norwegian heritage (Uff-da), and always had a smile that showed the love in his heart. In short, Bud was a charter member of the "greatest generation" that made an impact on our nation because his life's mission was simply to serve, love his neighbor, and love his God. During his last days on earth, Bud would often quote one of his favorite scriptures - Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is love. Bud loved so very well!

Memorials may be made to the Anacortes Salvation Army.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 7 PM on May 25, 2017 at Evans Funeral Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday June 3, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Anacortes with a reception to follow. Private interment with military honors will be at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory Inc., of Anacortes and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Bud, please sign the online guest register.