Obituary of Albert Bartzat

Albert M. (Bud) Bartzat ended his journey on April 30, 2014, just one month before is 95th birthday. He had lived in Eugene since his Army discharge in 1946. He was proceeded in death 2 1/2 years ago by his wife, Norma. He is survived by his daughter, Claudia Jean Staton and his two step children Barbara Swain (husband James) and Roland Medel (wife Bonnie). His grandchildren are Jeff Staton (wife Jenny) Brett and Barry Eskandanian and Beth Vaca (husband Wade), Kassandra Skye Staton is his great-granddaughter. His cause of death was a full and long life well lived. Bud was very proud of his military service in WWII in the south Pacific where he earned 4 bronze stars for his bravery. He was delighted to be part of the Register Guard’s tribute to veterans in 2011, and appreciated how the old soldiers were so well respected and honorably treated there by the staff. He was in the trucking business in Eugene from 1946 until 1970, when he sold Williams Transfer to Leroy Sherman (Sherman Brothers). He also got into the mobile office leasing business after sustaining a devastating warehouse fire in 1968, that destroyed the office and warehouse of Williams Transfer. He needed 2 units to house the office staff while he rebuilt his business at 135 N. Cleveland. Associates wanted to lease those units long before he was through with them. This lead him into the leasing business. He eventually sold Bartzat Leasing to Waste Management. He also dabbled in real estate and other ventures and loved to put a “deal” together. Norma & Bud discovered the joys of motorhoming and spent many years seeing the states and spending winters in Palm Springs. Bud was a bigger than life man that had an unexplainable magnetism about him that made you just want to hang out with him and listen to his many stories. In his later years, his favorite quote was “it is just an s.o.b. to get old and there is nothing you can do about it”. The memorial service will be held at Garden Way Church – 231 N. Garden Way at 1:30 on Friday, May 16th. A celebration of life will be held immediately following the service at his daughter’s home at 2216 Lakeview Drive. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to our local Looking Glass non profit. Mr. Bartzat was buried at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland next to his wife on May 7th. Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com