Courtesy Photo
RANGELY | It is no secret that Bud and June Striegel have been part of the Rangely community for many years. Whether it’s the Striegel Building on the Colorado Northwestern Community College campus or the W.C. Striegel business name that has survived every boom and bust cycle that has come through Rangely for decades, or the many contributions to community projects and function, the Striegels’ generosity and civic spirit are well known. The couple has put a lot of effort into making Rangely a better place to live and work and to play, and are well known in Meeker, too. The recent automotive museum and various building projects around town are a testament to the fact that the Striegels love the town of Rangely and want to give back to the community. Yet, it is the human element that will be the Striegels’ true legacy. They have inspired deep loyalty in those who know them, like Kelsey Peters. “The Bud and June that I have had the opportunity to get to know are two very genuine souls,” writes Kelsey Peters, who works for the Striegels at the Rangely Automotive Museum. Bud and June met in high school. She was a junior and he was a senior. “He remembers at a football game all the girls walked out once the game had ended and grabbed a player by the hand and walked them off the field, that was one of the first times he remembers ever talking to her,” Peters shared. Bud and June were married on Oct. 29, 1960. They just celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. June has a passion and talent for many things including beautiful quilting, cooking and putting up with her husband of many years. “Which if you ask her could be quite the task,” Peters writes. “Although Bud can be ‘difficult,’ he is also a kind soul. Anyone who has worked alongside him or for him may be reminded often that the way people do things now isn’t how they used to (do them),” Peters explained. “I have learned many things from ‘Handsome Ole Bud,’” Peters writes. “One thing that has stuck with me the most is ‘people always see what you have but no one ever knows what you had to do to get it.’” He is very particular when it comes to his passion for cars, as evidenced by the quality of the Rangely Automotive Museum. June likes them too, but “she’s about sick of talking about cars,” according to Peters. When it comes to restorations on his cars, Bud thinks most things should be done a minimum of three times. “In the midst of taking everything apart and putting it back together (for the third time) he usually asks if his expert body and paint “guys”—Rick Sherman and myself—have painted them the right color… Did you know 80 percent of men are color blind?” Peters wrote. Peters appreciates the opportunity to learn from the Striegels’ wisdom and example and wanted to take this opportunity to wish them a very happy (slightly belated) anniversary. The Striegels are great example of philanthropy, commitment and excellence in all things for this generation and for generations to come. They have created a positive and a lasting legacy in the town of Rangely.
