BURMAN H SKRABLE Obituary (1917

Burman Herbert (known as BH or Bud) Skrable, 96, died quietly in his sleep on Thursday, July 31, 2014 at Mountain View Manor nursing home in Eureka with his wife of 71 years, Gertrude (Trudy) at his side. He was born at Oakland, California on December 2, 1917 to Herbert and Alice (Cooper) Skrable and spent most of his youth in that area. He was a resident of Trego for 48 years. He was noted for his upright character and his warm, wry wit, and he had dedicated his life to his family, especially his wife, the love of his life. He was famed for his barbequing skills among family, especially his tasty "gorp" marinade, which none of the family could duplicate. A gifted middle-distance runner, Bud ran on the track teams at San Mateo Junior College-where he met Trudy-and Stanford University. He was part of a Stanford 2-mile relay team that set an American record. When the US entered World War II, he interrupted his college education to join the US Coast Guard. He ended up piloting the PBY flying boat on stateside antisubmarine and air-sea rescue missions. He finished his college degree after the war ended and moved his family to Bakersfield. He established a successful steel scaffolding business there. He watched his 4 boys play many hours of sports through high school. His youngest son Patrick went on to play 5 years of professional baseball. In 1966, the Skrable nest being empty, he and Trudy relocated to 100 acres of forested land near Trego. Richard and Evelyn Schroeder, also from Bakersfield, made the move with them and purchased 100 acres of adjacent property and both built lovely log homes. For about 8 years Bud worked for Vredenberg's machine shop until it relocated to Salt Lake City. Bud and Trudy lived in their house until February of 2014, when they moved to Mountain View Manor in Eureka. The dedicated assistance of Stephanie Schroeder, eldest of the 3 Schroeder children, enabled them to stay in their house the last 3 1/2 years. Bud was an avid hunter and fisherman. At an early age, he initiated his boys into the art of wing shooting, especially doves and ducks, both of which were plentiful in California's San Joaquin Valley. He continued to hunt and fish after moving to Trego, taking advantage of the ample deer and antelope populations in Montana and the fish in the Kootenai River and Lake Koocanusa. Because his house was heated by wood, he quickly became very proficient with chainsaw and axe, and continued to split his own wood until he moved into the nursing home. He was an active member of the Trego community for over 40 years. He and Trudy attended Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Eureka, where Trudy was a mainstay of the religious education program for many years. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Gertrude Ratto Skrable; 4 sons Burman Skrable Jr., Donald Skrable, Russell Skrable, and Patrick Skrable; 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Viewing will be Thursday, August 7, 2014 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Eureka. Mass of the Resurrection will be Friday, August 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at Fortine Cemetery. Memorials may be made to your favorite charity in Bud's name. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.schnackenbergfh.com.