Howard E. “Buck” [4006] Stidham (1918-2002) was honored Friday, November 3, 2006 at two o’clock at the East Victoria Estates Housing Development in Alpine, California with a ribbon cutting ceremony opening the new county road, Buck Stidham Drive, named after the former World War II and Korean War veteran and former Granite Hills (El Cajon, California) High School Wood Shop teacher.

Stidham enlisted in the Marine Corps in the 1930'S at the age of 17 and served three years. “Buck” was promoted to Lieutenant during the battle of Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism. He also served in the Korean War and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in 1958.

In 1960 “Buck” started a new career as a high school Woodshop teacher at Granite Hills High School. It wasn’t quite as dangerous as his military career, although watching over teenage boys with power tools was not exactly tame. He spent twenty years guiding the youth as they constructed various projects in the wood shop and finally retired in 1980.

His wife, Beth Stidham, cut the ribbon officially opening the road and paying tribute to a hero, a dedicated teacher and a good man.

(Sent by Doug Wilder)