BUD: Loss of a true warrior

Truly a legend in his own time, Herbert (Bud) Kirchhoff left this Earth on June 10. He was 96 years old on June 7, just three days earlier.

Warrior, conservative politician, devoted family man, true Christian, benevolent and a true, loyal and supportive friend. He was a man who grew up during the Great Depression and entered the Army before World War II then, in the Philippines, endured the brutal horror of the Bataan Death March, incarceration, then the “Death Ship” to Japan where he spent the next 3 1/2 years in forced labor in condemned coal mines. He has total admiration for the Japanese civilian population.

Combative by nature but always for the right reason, he was never prone to obscene language or continued anger (I had many spirited discussions with him during more than 20 years of morning coffee and home visits). He has helped so many charitable causes I cannot count them all and I was a recipient from him for many of mine.

He supported every good patriotic thing and especially veterans organizations. He was guest speaker for probably every civic and veterans organizations in Idaho and Washington. He was fully dedicated to being sure this nation never forgets the sacrifice made by our military veterans of the greatest generation to our current veterans. He will be missed by many, definitely by this old Marine. God bless you, Bud.

DAN BROCKWAY SR.

Post Falls