50-Year-Reunion

Bud Clapp 1304 West Cumberland Road, Bluefield, West Virginia 24701 budman6@comcast.net (304) 960 - 0771 July 2

After graduation from BHS, I attended Virginia Tech earning a B.S. in Mining Engineering. In 1981, I went to work for Reynolds Aluminum in Bauxite, Arkansas. However, in less than a year, they shut the mine down and I was released. In 1982, I took a job with Pocahontas Land Corporation where I worked for thirty - eight years starting as Engineer Special Projects and ending as Senior Manager of Engineering. During my time there, I earned my certification as a Registered Professional Engineer and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Marshall University. The company was sold in 2020, and my position was terminated, so I retired from the mining industry at age 62. I have worked part time at the Fincastle Golf Course since that time. I was active in professional organizations, serving as chairman of the Society of Mining Engineers/Central Appalachian Section and president of the Pocahontas Coal Association. I also volunteered in a number of community activities such as a swimming teacher at Harmony Acres; Little League umpire; co - chair of the Mercer/Tazewell Youth Leadership Program; helping construct, map, and maintain the trails at the Bluefield City Park. I also served as chairman of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, board member/treasurer of the Hatfield - McCoy Trail Authority, and as volunteer assistant golf coach at Bluefield University. I continue as a board member of the Bluefield Coal Show and as a Deacon and Trustee at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Recreation in my 30s and 40s consisted mainly of playing with my sons – I didn ’ t grow up, just grew older. Since they were spaced ten years apart, Susan and I spent over twenty years watching youth soccer, baseball, band concerts, etc. I had dipped snuff since Fairview, but quit for my 50 th birthday and put on weight as a result. I started cycling with a group of friends to lose weight. I was pitifully slow my first year, but improved significantly in my second. In my second and third years, I cycled across Iowa (an event called RAGBRAI) and rode the Rocky Mountains in my fourth. I biked over 100 miles eleven times. I also enjoyed mountain biking and entered a few races. My efforts weren ’ t magnificent, but I managed to finish. In my 60s, most of my recreation time has been spent on a golf course where inconsistency is the most consistent part of my game. I have shot under par (for 9 holes) and have had a hole - in - one, but I ’ ve had less glorious efforts as well. I saved the best for last -- the important stuff: I was 29 when I married Susan in 1986. She was granted sainthood by my coworkers and my sisters many years ago for staying married to me without committing murder. She has taught preschool throughout our marriage and is currently co - director of Westminster Preschool. We are blessed with two sons (Bob, 36 and Mark, 26), both of which are good guys (that ’ s just not a dad talking – several people have complimented them over the years). Most folks give the credit for raising good kids to Susan and they ask why she hasn ’ t done a better job on me. The older son is a pharmacist and the younger is currently a department manager at Dick ’ s Sporting Goods while pursuing a career as a physician ’ s assistant. Bob is married and Mark is still single. We have no grandkids at this time. To sum up the past fifty years, I ’ ve been very blessed. I ’ ve got a good wife and family; and other than a minor incident here and there, the family has enjoyed good health and prosperity.

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