Butch Greiffendorf

December 17th, 1943 - May 18th, 2013

Butch's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Butch here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

My older brother was my best friend, who could always be counted on to help me or my family at any time, any place, and yes, even at 3 AM on a workday.
Many a time he shared his candy with me 50/50. Ok, so he had five pieces and he gave me 2, it was still always 50/50. He said it so it must be true. He trusted me too, if a kid project like a homemade canoe, go-kart, or tree house floor needed testing, he always insisted that I go first. What a brother! (man, that lake water is cold in March!)
Like I said, a great person to grow up with, I'm going to miss him a lot. Well brother, take care and I hope to see you again one day, walking the streets of Glory... With Love, Tom

Tom Greiffendorf

Butch was a MAN'S MAN!! The fellow could do almost anything he ever set his mind to do; he was an inventor and engineer and could personally construct it with his own hands. On top of all that he had a heart for people that displayed his love for even the stranger.

Butch loved his family! Many a time over lunch we discussed his siblings, wife, children, and most of all his grandchildren. He loved them all so deeply.

Butch will be missed by all who knew him. GOD BLESS YOU,BUTCH, AND MAY YOU ENJOY ETERNITY WITH HIM!!

Mark Laning

My condolences to Diane, Rick, Clay, Tom and family.

I will always remember a few weeks ago how he wanted Brach's candy corn with honey, no other brand would do.  I was able to find it in Indiana. The next time I saw Butch I gave him the bag of candy corn, his eyes lit up.  I will always remember that smile on his face and the talk we had on that day.

It was an honor to meet Butch and to have known  a courageous man. Rest in Peace my friend.

May God give each of you comfort through the tough times now and in the days ahead.  May you find peace in all your memories of Butch and knowing one day you will be reunited with him.

God Bless,
Debbie

Debbie Dodd

My condolences for Butch's family.

I knew Butch through family gatherings of his brother Tom, when Butch would stop by to visit. One thing that struck me in one of our conversations was his integrity. Butch related a story of his traveling with someone on a business trip, and that person related with relish the way he had lied to someone else. Butch said that was the last time he had anything to do the one who lied. Along with that, Butch was always a companion, a person you liked to be with. His was a life well lived.

Don Gimbel

Diane, Tom, Rick, Ricky, Clay and family – you are in our thoughts. Our hearts are broken to lose Butch. We met him over 30 years ago when he became CEO of BEI. He became a dear, close friend from the very start. Although separated by 2000 miles, it always felt like he was right next door. We spoke often by phone, both for business, or many times when he was on lunch break. He’d park his truck down at the beach and just call to chat, describing the beautiful lake and lighthouse gleaming in the sun or encased in ice. We always looked forward to his annual visits to Oregon in January. We will dearly miss his great stories, friendly chat, and infectious laughter. He made a wonderful, lasting impression on everyone who met him, and because of that, he will live on forever.

Carl & Lorna Freeze

Butch and I went to school together at Grand Junction(tech)k-8.Oh those were the years.I 'll always remember them around town with the cattle truck of his dads.Always with the ropes tided neatly onto the wood sides and were all lined up just right for quick use of them when needed. After grade school we both took different career /life paths and lost touch during what was our normal life experiences. However later he and I would see each other in passing or call each other about business things, either that he needed or wanted ,or for questions he needed answers for in some local project he was doing for BEI, or I with a question about some blueberry thing. Then one day at the South Haven Hospital lab as we were both giving blood samples, we talked and he told me about what he was going through.
I was touched as I thought about him and our lack of personal contact over the years and so I said to my self later, I'll try and make up lost time as I wanted to ask him so many questions and give him some in site and stories of my experiences, and in my small way to give him support and relief from his health trials he was moving through, however it wasn't to be.
I have read some of the things he wrote about in emails on his life in Grand Junction and was deeply moved. I thank Ray Peckstien for getting me Butches email address from Rose so that at least I could re connect with him during the past few months of his journey of life. He had a wonderful way of putting things into prospective with his writings. I was truly blessed indeed to have been raised in a small town and to known Him and his Dad and Mom and his family. My regret is that I still had so much to share back to him however it wasn't to be.

Benny Stegman

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, but know that along the journey God prepared you all for this transformation of your dear one into eternity. Nevertheless, the parting is difficult. Everything I remember of Butch is welcoming and love, sweetness and gratefulness. He seemed to me to be the strength around which the family revolved. I wish all concerned much peace and gratefulness as you remember him. In time, the hurt will soften and you will heal. He was a person of great integrity.

Karen Camp

Diane, Tom and family,

Butch was one of my favorite cousins growing up. We
did many trips together....deer hunting, Florida,
Washington DC, Gettysburg, New Orleans....playing on the
sand dunes, fort, digging for arrow heads...
He was the oldest one of Sandi, Tom and me, so
that meant we looked up to him first.

I came across a collection of stories he wrote to my
dad; Incle Alvin, in 1999 entitled;
"Days with my dad". He dedicated them to his
Dad's Grandchildren and great - grandchildren.

I love this quote from October 11,1999. Entitled Last Hunt: "Sorrow fills Rick
and my heart. Dad's going without us. He is going
hunting with Grandpa Greiff.....Rick
walks off into the woods alone. I stare into the night sky. The wind
changes direction, it's going to be a great day in the woods."

I will miss you, Butch and all of our family times...Tom
and I now carry on the family name, memories and love.
Penny