Michigan ACBS Chapter Founding Father B.A. “Bud” Aikens III Passes Away
Bud Aikens aboard FLYING HIGH his 1941 Chris-Craft 27' Custom Triple
We received this sad information from Carl Garmhaus this morning.
“I am sorry to report that I received an email from John Eidt last night informing me that Michigan Chapter founding father B. A. Bud Aikens passed away Wed. am. Further information will be sent along when more details are known.”
Carl Garmhaus, Commodore, MI ACBS
Algonac, Michigan has long been host to an annual “Pickerel Festival” on July 4th weekend. In the 1970’s, this event also included an afternoon picnic at the waterfront home of B. A. “Bud” & Patricia Aikens and his which was a congregation of all of his wood boat friends. The picnic would conclude with a parade of the attending boats down the St. Clair River, in front of City Park, with an announcer describing each boat and owner as they went by. In 1979, Bud and his friends founded the Michigan Chapter of the ACBS.
The picnic continued to grow in popularity and number of boats, and since it could no longer be handled at Bud’s home, one of his friends, Pete Beauregard, suggested that the picnic move to his Algonac marina. Since the Algonac Harbour Club is also the location of the original Chris Craft plant, it seemed a fitting place for an annual event.
Bud Aikens was instrumental in the develpopment and growth of the local ACBS Chapter and the antique & classic boat hobby in the Michigan area, and he will be missed. Our condolences go out to his wife Patricia and their family.
Thanks Matt for helping us remember Bud. His annual 4th of July picnic was the true beginning of our annual Plant Jamboree, “Where it All Began”!
R.I.P. BUD
Sorry to hear about Bud Aikens.
Bud will be in many of our hearts at the Algonac show this year.
I have been in touch with numerous Michigan members that were around for the Aiken’s Picnic and Parade in the 70’s leading to the founding of the Algonac Show. The people commenting can’t say enough good things about Bud. You became one of his family when you participated in his events. Our passion has lost a true founding father.
So said to hear the news, A true “Woody Boater” that open the door to what is now the Algonac show. I loved attending the picinics in his back yard . So cool back then… He will be missed.