In Memoriam : Ralph Kilburn

Ralph - Kilburn - age: 83
(June 07, 1927 to August 30, 2010 )
Resident of Woodlake, California

Visitation Information:
No immediate funeral services will be held; rather a Celebration of Life for Bud is being planned in the near future; please check the Caring Bridge site listed below for details.

Obituary:
Ralph Stanley (Bud) Kilburn passed away peacefully Monday, August 30th, 2010 at his home in Woodlake, CA, surrounded by his family. He was 83.

Bud was born in Santa Monica in 1927 to Grace (Smart) and Harvey Maher Kilburn and lived in Southern California for most of his early life. He attended both the New Mexico Military Institute in New Mexico and Stanford University before joining the Navy during WWII. He moved to Woodlake in the late 1940’s to help manage the Sentinel Butte Ranch. It was here where, at the counter of the Woodlake Drugstore, he met the love of his life, Betty, in 1950. So began a love affair that lasted over 60 years and continues to this day.

Bud worked for the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District as a hydrographer for over 35 years. He was also an avid photographer, woodworker, bird lover and teller of tall tales. The following site, filled with memories and stories about Bud, will help to explain just how many people were touched by this marvelous Renaissance man: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/budkilburn/guestbook.

Bud leaves his wife, Betty, daughters Ann and Lisa, son David and granddaughter Kelly as well as sons-in-law, David Perez and Jim Maino, to carry on in his name along with all those who either laughed at his jokes, had a picture or two snapped by him or who just sat and shot the bull with him for awhile.

In lieu of flowers or other tributes, Bud’s family would like you to consider a donation to your local hospice society or a tax deductible contribution to the California Raptor Center, an educational and research facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned birds of prey at UC Davis. Info at: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/calraptor/ (Donation link at bottom of page). Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.evansmillerguinnchapel.com. Arrangements left in care of Evans Miller Guinn Exeter Chapel.







David Kilburn - September 4, 2010Contact this person Contact this person
We miss you Biggie!