In the same quiet way he lived, Chandler Fred Buz Goodrich, 74, passed gently into the arms of God on Friday, Jan. 19, 2007. As was his wish, he was at home with his family.
Buz was born Feb. 21, 1932, and lived his early childhood on the family homestead in Tule Lake, Calif. In 1937, they moved to Santa Rosa, Calif., where Buz spent his youth.
He enlisted in the army in 1951, and served in Korea and Okinawa. He came to the northwest after his discharge where he met and married his army buddys sister, Joan Coomes, and went to work for Western Electric in Seattle. Buz and Joan had three beautiful children, Stephen, Dena and Lori, but were divorced many years later. In 1974, he married Heather, and they enjoyed 32 years together.
Buz loved the water, and joined Tyee Yacht Club after purchasing a boat in 1976. He was an excellent skipper, and many happy hours were spent cruising the San Juans and local waters. He and Heather moved to Everett, and in 1983 he retired from Western Electric and turned his love for woodworking into a craft business. Failing heath ended that endeavor, but he continued to build beautiful model ships and airplanes as a hobby. In 1996, Buz and Heather moved to Snohomish where he found his dream job working part time as a page at the Snohomish Library. He met great people and still had time for his hobbies. His life-long passion for airplanes turned to building remote controlled models, but he was a builder, not a flyer, and settled for watching other pilots do their stunts.
Buz is survived by his wife, Heather; sister, Laurel Myers, of Stockton, Calif.; son, Stephen, and wife, Robin Goodrich, of Snohomish; daughter, Dena Bunyard, of Winthrop, Wash.; daughter, Lori, and husband, Dennis Matson, of Arlington; and step-daughter, Kristeen, and husband, Bill Maloney, of Dallas, Texas. Buz also has five grandchildren, Jack, Brett, Jon, Lisa and Branden; and four great-grandchildren.
Buz was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Grace; and a brother, Bruce.
Buz was a man of few words, but he had a kind and loving heart and he cared deeply for his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
At his request, he will be cremated and there will be no services.
Please, no flowers, but cards, visits, or phone calls would be much appreciated. Any other remembrances to a charity of your choice.
A special word of thanks to all Buzs wonderful heart and kidney doctors, nurses, and caregivers there are so many of you who have walked us through this long journey. You are angels everyone.