Charles Rumburg Obituary

Charles Buddy Rumburg passed away on July 31, 2023 in Cortez, CO following a 10 year battle with Alzeimers at the age of 91. He was the son of Joseph Clyde Rumburg and Grace Elaine (Worrell) and was born December 12, 1931 in Welch, West Virginia. In early 1932 the family moved to Mancos, CO where the family ran a sawmill and raised livestock in the hills. They moved to Cortez in 1940 so the kids could go to high school. On July 8, 1953 he married Marie Charles and to that union three boys were born.

He received his Bachelor's degree from Colorado State University and then attended Rutgers University where he received his PHD in Farm Crops in 1958. Agriculture research took the family to Burns, Oregon where he worked at the Squaw Butte Experiment Station for Oregon State University and the Agricultural Research Service. He taught his boys how to hunt, fish and be self-sufficient.

In 1970 he became the Superintendent of the Mountain Meadow Research Center in Gunnison, Co in cooperation with Colorado State University. In 1977 he accepted a position with the Cooperative State Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture in Washington DC and remained there until his retirement in 1992.

Following his retirement from Washington DC, he became the Executive Vice President of the Society for Range Management in Denver, CO and served in that position until 1997. But, the big city was not for a farm kid, so he and Marie moved back home to Cortez CO in 2000 to renew old acquaintances.

He loved the challenge of research and compared it to a "child playing in a sandbox". He also loved to share his knowledge and experiences with others. His life-long passions were never far from his mind: family, science, natural resources, the people who manage those resources and finally, back to Southwest Colorado. His profession and avocation were one in the same.

Those who knew him well will remember him as a great husband, father, brother, uncle, and colleague. Those who merely crossed paths with him will remember him as a good friend.

This obituary is a reminder of how thoughtful, organized and well planned Bud was. Though he began failing mentally some 10 years ago, the majority of this article was written by him prior to that to be used when the time came.

He is survived by Marie, his loving wife of 70 years; sons Larry (Kim), Les (Nancy) and Scot (Christila). Grandchildren Lindsey, Jerry, and Brian and several great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph; and sister, Marietta Benge. Cremation has taken place and a quiet family service will be held at a future point in time where his wishes for final dispersal will be completed. Please direct any memorial considerations toward the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org .

Now, may the gates of Heaven open to accept him that he may spend eternity in the arms of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, whole once more, where..."He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." Rev 21:4