HomeMy WebLinkAboutP3 - Recognition of Buddy BelsheSeptember 13,1999
. Council Agenda
Presentation
To: Mayor and Members of the City Co
From: Tim Riley, Fire and Marine Chief
Subject: City Council to Recognize Buddy Belshe for 50 Years
RECOMMENDATION
Lifeguard Buddy G. Belshe deserves the recognition of this City Council and the Citizens of
Newport Beach for his 50 years of continued presence and guidance in the field of Marine
Safety in Orange County and Newport Beach.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Newport Beach Fire and Marine Employee, Bud Belshe, has dedicated 50 years of service to the
field of Marine Safety.
Buddy Belshe was born on March 30, 1934. Buddy's father, Gene Belshe, was the first paid
lifeguard for the City of Huntington Beach. Four days before his sixteenth birthday in 1950,
Belshe began a career in lifeguarding that he is still actively pursuing today. Belshe spent 11
seasons with the City of Huntington Beach. On October 29,1960, Belshe was hired by the City
of Newport Beach as a Marine Safety Officer. His first assignment was to supervise West
Newport Division I, with the late Don Bums. After four years of full time service, Belshe was
promoted to Marine Safety Lieutenant. Two years later he was again promoted, this time to
Captain. This was the position Buddy held for the next 21 years of service with the City.
Following 27 years of service with Newport Beach, Bud Belshe retired as a full-time lifeguard.
This is not to say Belshe retired. Buddy was back on the beach again for the summer of 1988 in
a position he felt was the most essential for the safety of the public, a Seasonal Lifeguard. He
has been on the front lines as an Assistant Supervisor /Unit Operator each summer following
his retirement as a permanent employee. In this position, Belshe has first hand contact with
both the young tower,lifeguards and the public that he has so faithfully served and protected
for 50 years.
Buddy Belshe is recognized by the Newport Beach Ocean Lifesaving Association, the California
Surf Lifesaving Association, the United States Lifesaving Association, and the World Lifesaving
Association as one of the true Icons in Lifesaving and Lifeguarding. Numerous persons are,
alive today because of the dedication, work ethic, and watchful eye of Buddy Belshe.
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