Remembering Bud Rue

By RAYMOND J. PONTIER

Somewhere I remember reading these lines written by John Gardner: "Some people strengthen us just by being the kind of people they are."

Bud Rue was one of those people.

His sudden and untimely death on the "Walk for Social Justice" this past Sunday was symbolic of his life. It has been said that most people are content in life to just "go about." But then there are those who find contentment only as they "go about doing good." That was Bud Rue.

In his quiet and unassuming way he provided inspiration and leadership to those seeking ways to bind up the wounds and hurts of people. He was not out to save the world, but he was determined to do what he could to make life more humane and liveable in the Delaware Valley. He supported every good cause in our area.

A math teacher by profession, he retired from a New Jersey school district just a couple of years ago to live along the Upper Delaware which he loved.

His legacies to the river valley are many.

The Upper Delaware Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is indebted to him, not only for helping to organize it, but for providing space at Innisfree for the fellowship to meet on Sundays.

Habitat for Humanity, his greatest love, owes its existence in Wayne County to his concern for the homeless and to his persistent organizational efforts.

The Upper Delaware Chapter of Amnesty International found Bud among its charter members. In March he walked in the St. Patrick's Day Parade at Yulan carrying the group's banner.

The River School, a noble but unfulfilled experiment, was made possible because of Bud's interest and the provision of a meeting place at Innisfree.

Innisfree itself, begun as an earlier experiment to help find a way for children and young adults to discover themselves and the world around them in a meaningful way, was operated over the years as a hostel and retreat center.

There are many other legacies.

Bud Rue was one of the finest human beings I have been privileged to know. He was a good person in the very best sense of the word. There was no pretense about him, nothing sanctimonious or pious or self-righteous. He was plain-spoken and honest, a man who enjoyed life and lived it fully.

He was a goodness found in qualities so easily lost in our self-serving, mean-spirited and violent age -- the qualities of caring and compassion and self-giving. Bud was too modest to lay claim to it, but he really understood what Jesus meant when he said, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Bud Rue will be deeply and terribly missed. He cannot be replaced. His wonderful family will miss him most of all, but his many friends also share in the grief of his loss. I know of my own personal sense of loss, for I count Bud Rue as one of the best friends I have had anywhere.

It is tough to have the bond of friendship cut off so quickly and finally. It is helpful and hopeful to have good memories of a good friend. Who he was and what he has done shall not be forgotten.

[The above article was subsequently reprinted in the November 1993 newsletter of the Upper Delaware Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.]

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