Rescue Talk™
Remembering Mr. Bud Calkin of Skedco, Inc.
Roco Rescue joins with thousands of emergency responders across the nation and around the globe in mourning the loss of Mr. Bud Calkin, founder of Skedco, Inc.
Bud was recognized as being the creator and “worldwide evangelist” of the
Sked Stretcher System. Thousands of lives have been saved as a direct result of his products and training.
For Roco, Bud was more than the founder of a worldwide rescue company. He was a friend. Skedco and Roco go back many years and got our start in the business about the same time.
Our relationship with Bud and his loyal wife, Catherine, was built on a shared understanding of rescue: keeping things practical, building equipment that works, and supporting the incredible people doing the job.
When Roco previously spoke with Bud and Catherine on Skedco’s 40th anniversary, Bud described the company’s focus… saving lives and supporting rescuers. It was a simple mission with a tremendous personal commitment.
His focus was always on giving rescuers tools they could count on when conditions were difficult and the margin for error was small.
Bud’s impact on rescue is hard to overlook. Many rescuers from every country and tribe have trained with, carried, packed, dragged, lifted, and depended on equipment that came from his work. In that way, his influence is still present on rescue scenes, training grounds, and job sites everywhere the Sked is deployed.
We are grateful for Bud’s friendship, his contribution to rescue, and the long-standing relationship between Skedco and Roco Rescue.
Our thoughts are with Catherine, the Skedco family, and the countless people who knew and worked with Bud. And somehow we just know…he’s up there telling the same corny jokes! He will be greatly missed.
Funeral Service: Friday, June 5th (9:30 to 11:45; gravesite service from 11:45 to 12:45 PST)
Location: Finley-Sunset Hills Memorial Park 6801 SW Sunset Hwy, Portland, OR 97223
Notes of condolences can be sent to:
Catherine Calkin & Skedco Family
Skedco, Inc.
P O Box 3390
Tualatin, OR 97062
