Butler Firefighters ~

A tribute to our devoted firefighters.
Our constant thanks. . .

Miss USA ~ 1971

Michele McDonald

Our Butler Beauty

Photo: Miss Universe Organization

†23 January 2020
Obituary

Arnold Palmer ~ A Tribute

Surely he played our Butler Country Club.

♰ September 25, 2016

For 20 Ohio Marines ~ A Butler Tribute

+ Lance Cpl. Eric J. Bernholtz

14 Marine reservists from the Cleveland area were killed in the first week of August 2005 by a roadside bomb -- one of the heaviest blows suffered by a single unit in the war. Two days earlier, six others from the battalion were killed while on sniper duty.
A Tribute to 20 Ohio Marines from Butler.
A Picture Tribute
 

Summit Academy ~ Herman, Pa.

A tribute to 

Samuel Costanzo

Founder and Headmaster:  

Friend and Helper of The Young.
About the Academy

Katie McLafferty ~

The Herman community and the fire department pay tribute to a beloved member. 

The Butler Eagle ~

 A tribute to old paperboys-and girls.
Thanks.

Donald B. Carlson Sr. BHS '38

† 8 September 2010

Donald Carlson sent me some of the first pictures posted on the Butler Blog. As a tribute to him I have posted the pictures he sent me. Click the label Photographer Don Carlson below. -- Charles

After graduating from BHS Don Carlson worked as a newspaper photographer, while earning his private pilot's license. Anxious to join the service, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 7 July 1942. He served as a flight engineer for the 10th Weather Headquarters in the China-Burma-India Theater, flying over the Himalayan Mountains (The Hump) and throughout China, Japan and Korea. He was a member of the CBI/Hump Pilots Association and was a 50-year member of the Butler Masonic Lodge. Don served faithfully with Community Companion Volunteers, a program of Lutheran Home Services.

A Butler Physician ~

Dr. Robert T. Eckert

He was the Good Doctor for so many of us.

† 28 April 2014

Remembering Butler Firefighters ~

On April 8, 2001 Scott Wilson [left] and Anthony Murdick [below], both 25, died while attempting to recover the body of kayaker Neil Balcer, 23, from the Slippery Rock Creek near McConnell's Mill. We have not forgotten these dedicated men.

More that 500 fire departments sent firefighters and trucks to participate in the funeral procession. They came from as far away as Texas.
Photos: Unionville VFD

Karl Probst ~ Designer of the Jeep

Karl Probst [center] was rightly called the "Father of the Jeep" and thanks to him Butler was duly given the celebrated nickname "Home of the Jeep". Probst designed the vehicle in just 18 hours in 1940, and it took our Bantam company 49 days to make the original, which was cloned for use by the U.S. Army     

Thanks: Barbara Bloom

                                                                        

Proud Sign ~

 

Street Festival ~ September 2009

. . . so many good people in our town.

James Pugh ~ BHS '68

Our James Pugh has had a distinguished career as a freelance trombonist, composer, and educator. His playing crosses all boundaries. He has been recorded in small-group jazz improvisational settings with such artists as Joe Lovano, David "Fathead" Newman, and André Previn. He has recorded classical chamber music with Yo Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble as well as the chamber music of Paul Bowles, Irwin Bazelon, and Ben Johnston. He has been a featured soloist on Grammy-Award winning recordings with Woody Herman and has recorded large orchestral works with the Eos, Concordia, St. Luke's, and 92nd Street Y Orchestras. Jim is well known for his musical integrity, inspiring improvisation, virtuosity, and all-encompassing versatility.

In NPR's year-end round-up of the Best of 2008, trombonist James Pugh’s new recording X-Over Trombone of three jazzy concertos stands out on top.

Larkin & Company

A renowned Butler company that serviced the early oil wells in our area.

American Bantam Car Company of Butler ~

Manfacturer of our famous small cars, and the Jeep.

Photo: Thanks DeWayne Johnston

Butler's YMCA Swimming Coach ~

John. F. "Pump" McLaughlin
† March 28, 2004
Swimming teacher, coach, mentor, friend.
Left: Eric Namesnik, right: Alice Ann McLaughlin, Pump's niece.

[photographed in front of the YMCA]

Msgr. Wm. J. Spiegel ~ A Good Shepherd

Msgr. William J. Spiegel

Pastor St. Paul's Church [1944-1964], builder of St. Paul's School, friend and helper for many.

Bill Saul ~ Football Great ~ BHS '58

+ September 16, 2006

Bill was a '58 graduate of BHS. At Penn State he played basketball and football. In the NFL he played for the Baltimore Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers, then one year for the New Orleans Saints and one year for the Detroit Lions. Bill was inducted into the Butler Sports Hall of Fame in 1968. We all looked up to Bill.

Ed Vargo ~ Major League Umpire

Ed Vargo of Butler, National League umpire from 1960-1983, is the only Major League umpire to call one no hitter and one perfect game for the same pitcher. Vargo was behind home plate for Sandy Koufax's no hitter on June 4, 1964 and his perfect game on September 9, 1965.

+ February 2, 2008