BEACHWOOD, GEORGE W.

George “Bud” Beachwood, 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather, outdoorsman and Portland TV pioneer, passed away unexpectedly Nov. 19, 2009. Born in Stanley, Wis., to Minnie Krogan and William Beachwood, he left home as a teenager and joined the thousands of boys and men who rode the rails during the Great Depression. Bud joined the U.S. Marines in 1942 and fought with the 3rd Marine Raiders in the South Pacific, including the re-capture of Guam. Combat took its toll on him and he ended up in the Corona, Calif., Naval Hospital where he met a young nurse, Edith Bodell, whom he married in 1947. After graduating from the School of Radio and Television Arts and Sciences, Bud went to work in broadcasting. He joined KOIN-TV as an announcer when they opened in 1953. A program producer and filmmaker for more than 20 years, he became a local celebrity, known for his many outdoors, public affairs and nature shows. Bud retired from KOIN in 1987, but continued as an independent filmmaker. He produced several videos, including a video on Mount St. Helens, several fishing videos and a video on Nepal, after trekking in the Himalayas at age 67. Bud is survived by his wife, Edith; daughter, Diane Weiss (Donald) of Milwaukee, Wis.; sons, Wayne Beachwood (Gail) of Portland and Dale Beachwood (Leslie) of Beaverton; and grandchildren, Kim Westcott, Timothy Weiss, Dawn Kraczcek, Daniel Weiss, Katie Beachwood, Tyson Beachwood, Jackson Beachwood, Hannah Beachwood and Carolina Beachwood. Bud is also survived by his sister, Betty Gozy (Donald) of Chicago; one niece; and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial celebration will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, in the Hearthstone at Murrayhill in Beaverton.