Cramer, Loren 'Bud' 81 7/31/1929 10/22/2010 Bud Kramer, a leading force in Oregon Democratic politics for more than 30 years, died Oct. 22, 2010. He was 81. Bud began his career managing the 1956 Multnomah County presidential campaign of Adlai E. Stevenson.
He later managed the re-election campaign of Rep. Edith Green and was her legislative assistant in Washington, D.C. Returning to Oregon, he held several management positions for the state of Oregon and Multnomah County. Gov. Bob Straub appointed him director of the Oregon Department of General Services in 1975, and later of the Department of Environmental Quality. Bud was an executive assistant to the governor for two years.
Later, he was a vice president of Schnitzer Steel for 12 years. Loren "Bud" Kramer was born July 31, 1929, in Brookings, S.D. He led a rough-and-tumble childhood in areas throughout the country before moving in 1944 to Portland. He graduated from Washington High School and was a student at Reed College when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951.
After his discharge in 1952, he returned to Reed and graduated in 1955 with a degree in political science. His thesis was on the elections of Rep. Edith Green and Sen. Richard Neuberger. He married Patricia Paulson in 1955; they divorced. In 1969, he married Ann Rennacker.
After retiring, he and Ann lived in Cannon Beach for 14 years, where he was active in city politics. His work was Bud's life; he didn't indulge in hobbies or other pastimes. He was known for his brusque, decisive manner, and expected the same high standards in others that he set for himself. He had his detractors as well as legions of loyal admirers. Those who knew him well knew that inside the gruff exterior beat the heart of a marshmallow. He was a constant help to young people, finding them jobs and mentoring many for years. He raised two children as a single father and then adopted two stepchildren.
Survivors include his wife; sons, Adam, Matt, and John; daughter, Darcy; and grandchildren, Olivia and Nicholas. His wirehair terrier, Scruffy, also survives. A gathering will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, in West Cafe on Southwest 12th Avenue and Jefferson Street. The family suggests remembrances to the Oregon Food Bank.