FAREWELL TO BUD
Robert "Bud" McKee was one of the founding
members of The Chesapeake City Ecumenical Association. He was
passionate about this unity among the churches of Chesapeake City.
The association was founded through St. Rose and Trinity coming together
in worship, praise and song. Bud shared with Eileen Viars and me,
that through this joining, church members began discussing families in
the area in need of help. Because of the rural setting some 20
years + back, social services were not always readily available.
They began collecting food, packing boxes and delivering these to the
doors of those in need. And so an Association was formed and
ministries blossomed and continue today.
With Bud's help and direction, the CCEA moved
from an informal gathering of churches, to a registered 501(c)3.
His dedication and passion to God and community helped to keep this
Association and its' ministries alive. He served as Treasurer
through January of 2008.
Bud thoroughly enjoyed attending the Lenten
and Advent services. He loved the differences in the services and
the music! More importantly, he loved the gathering of the
different faiths under one roof, sharing praise and worship! I
must say, it is a love & passion we shared.
At the Spring Board Meeting 2008, we
unanimously voted to initiate a scholarship fund in honor of Bud's
service. It will be named the "Bud" McKee Scholarship Fund for
Adult Continuing Education. In August 2008, we completed the
establishment of this scholarship.
In keeping with Bud’s goals, the scholarship will be awarded to
an adult currently in or returning to the workforce.
Additionally, the College will seek to find candidates who are
now or have served in a volunteer capacity.
Every effort will be made to award the first scholarship by
mid-September 2008.
Thereafter, we will renew this scholarship as funding permits.
Lastly, today like so many here, I say
goodbye to my mentor and treasured friend. I have no doubt that at
5:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 24th, God and those who went before Bud,
were waiting at the gates of Heaven to welcome home this beloved son....
Deb