Obituary
Arnold ‘Bud’ Birch
October 28, 1941 – September2, 2022
Peacefully, with his Family by his side, Bud passed away at the Neepawa Hospital.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Judie, son Derrick (Pam, Robyn, Kylie, Dillon), daughters Dawn and Debra (Eric, Conner, Cooper, Ryanne). Brother in law Wayne (Tracy, Paula, Bret), brother Jake (Lynn, Kelli, Teri, Trisha) and sister Kim (Jacy, Jill, Justin), mother in law Viola Oswald-Rogers, sister in law Jane (John, Cindy, Kristy, Carissa), brother in law Marcel (Marty)(Kristine, Elisha, McKenna, Bayley). He is also predeceased by his parent Ern and Jean, sister, Sandra and brother in law, Pieter.
Bud was born in Neepawa and raised on the family farm ¼ mile East of Big Valley near Birnie. He attended school in Big Valley and had many stories to share of his days there.
Growing up he loved to play ball with Birnie which included many of his Birch cousins, and in the winter he played hockey and curled. His false teeth were courtesy of an unfortunate game in goal.
Bud worked on the family farm until 1961, when he and a few cousins moved to Yellowknife where he worked for a winter in the Public Works Department and then another winter at the Discovery Gold Mine. Although he enjoyed the work, his highlight was playing hockey with the Con Cougars. The following 2 summers were spent working at the Gold Mine, north of Whitehorse.
Bud returned home and worked for MTS in the Minnedosa/Russell area and later, the Winnipeg MTS garage. While working for MTS in the rural area, he enjoyed many local dances and sporting events. It was at one of these dances in Birnie where he met Judie in 1965. When he was working in Winnipeg, he took his barber course and cut hair in Transcona. Bud and Judie were married on October 7, 1967. They enjoyed several years living in Transcona where Bud cut hair and Judie worked for Air Canada.
In 1970, Derrick was born and in 1971, they moved back to the farm in Birnie. Bud and Judie built a new house east of highway 5. Dawn was born in 1972 and Debra in 1977. Although it was a mixed grain farm, Bud began raising Simmental cattle and Snake Creek Simmentals was founded. Bud was certified in AI and also worked for the Big Valley Cattle Co. A highlight of which was hosting a summer hockey school with Bobby Hull and several other NHL greats. He still cut hair twice a week, now in Riding Mountain.
Bud still enjoyed curling, the occasional Sports Day of ball and playing hockey with the Big Valley Bulls rec. team.
Buds love of sport carried on to his children and grandchildren. He coached Derrick in both baseball and hockey.
Bud was elected to council for the RM of Rosedale in 1975. For the next several years he served as Councillor, Reeve, Director on the UMM and MAUM. Many great friendships were formed during this time in Municipal Government. During that time, he also served on many boards including EVL, HAND, Neepawa & Area Hospital, Neepawa & Area Ambulance, Neepawa & Area Handi-Van, Whitemud Watershed, County Court Building, NADCO and the Neepawa Planning District.
In 1992 Bud and Judie sold the farm and moved to Neepawa in 1993. Bud sat on Town Council and a few committees while also working for John’s Electric and then the RM of Langford.
His love of sports continued but now as a spectator. He rarely missed any of his grandchildren’s games, even if it meant traveling all across the Province. He became the unofficial ‘Grandpa’ to many of the grandchildren’s team-mates too. He would spend entire weekends at the local rink cheering on the 6 grandchildren, neighbours children, friend’s grandchildren and enjoyed every game. He’d often settle in for the evening catching an Oilers game or curling game on TV.
This is also when Bud and Judie began to travel on hot holidays and discovered their favourite destination – Cabarete. Lifelong friendships were formed and both their Dominican ‘Familia’ and many Neepawa residents, who also came to be repeat visitors to Cabaret over the next 25 years, are friendships that always held a very special place in his heart.
In the summer, he loved watching the kids and grandkids ball and then cheering on the Blue Jays on TV.
Bud was an avid reader, had an amazing memory for local history and loved storytelling. He loved country music, playing cards, singing & dancing, telling jokes, singing silly songs and dropping one-liners, sometimes just to see who was paying attention. His delivery often included a wink, a smirk and a twinkling eye. He had a green thumb and loved to garden, possessed a wealth of common sense and could fix almost everything.
Bud survived prostate cancer and appreciated all of the support from the Neepawa Chemo Unit. He was diagnosed with IPF and as his health declined, watch the kids play hockey via live stream, started making puzzles and always made time to tell stories.
Bud was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren, and said that what he was even more proud of, are the amazing friends they all have.
The Family would like to Thank Dr. Bookatz and Dr. Poettker for their research and wonderful care. Special Thanks also goes to all the nursing staff at the Neepawa Hospital for their kindness and excellent care.
Buds funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 10th at 2:00pm at the Neepawa United-Anglican Church, with Reverend Chad McCharles officiating.
Flowers are gratefully declined, but we ask that a donation be made in Bud’s memory to the Neepawa Palliative Care Unit, PO Box 1240, Neepawa MB R0J 1H0.
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Arnold Bud Morison Birch October 28 1941 September 2 2022 (age 80)..
Death notice for the town of: Minnedosa, Province: Manitoba