Relatives, friends honor legacy of former Panguitch Mayor Bill Bruhn on his 100th birthday

Written by Jeff Richards
July 24, 2024
Dozens of family members gathered for the 100th birthday celebration of former Panguitch Mayor Bill Bruhn (1924-85). | Background photo taken by Mary McBride in Panguitch, Utah, June 13, 2024. Inset photo taken in the 1950s by Frank Keith Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

PANGUITCH — Approximately 120 people recently gathered in Panguitch to celebrate the life of former Mayor William G. “Bill” Bruhn.

Members of the Barbara and Steve Dirks family were among the dozens who gathered for the 100th birthday celebration of former Panguitch Mayor Bill Bruhn, Panguitch, Utah, June 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Mary McBride, St. George News / Cedar City News

Bruhn, who died of leukemia in 1985 at age 60, would have turned 100 on June 13, 2024 – the date of the recent family celebration held at Panguitch Social Hall.

Bruhn served two four-year terms as mayor of Panguitch, starting in 1949. At the time of his election, he was 25 years old and believed to be one of the youngest mayors in the United States. He later served as Garfield County Commissioner, in addition to holding a variety of other civic and business leadership positions.

Former Utah Gov. Calvin Rampton, who spoke at Bruhn’s funeral, hailed him as one of “Utah’s most able and dedicated public servants.”

Bill Bruhn was one of four children born to Peter Frederick “Fred” and Eleanor Bruhn, who made Panguitch their home in the 1920s. Bill’s three older siblings were Arthur Bruhn, Beth Bruhn Hurst and Mark Vee Bruhn.

Bill Bruhn married Mary Lund of St. George in 1944. 

Reunion attendees included both of the couple’s daughters, Barbara Dirks and Debara Towt, and their families, which included grandchildren and great-grandchildren, plus numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

L-R: Panguitch City Councilman Nello Ipson, Mayor Bill Bruhn, and planning commission member Mabel Nielsen look over blueprints, Panguitch, Utah, mid-1950s | Photo by Frank Keith Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

The event’s program included Bill Bruhn’s daughters and other descendants sharing memories and photos. Great-grandchildren Elliott McBride and Emily McBride performed a saxophone-ukulele duet of a song written by Bill and his daughter Barbara, titled “Billy’s Song: You Don’t Mind if I Like Ya, Do Ya?”

Another family favorite, a catchy tune called “Cedar City Gal,” was performed by family friend Kay Richards. That song, also authored by Bill Bruhn, was one he frequently sang while working at the Bryce Canyon Cafe that he and his wife operated for four decades.

Various family members then joined in an informal singalong, keeping alive a century-old tradition. A catered lunch was provided by Cowboy Smokehouse Cafe. 

On display during the reunion were old newspaper articles and other memorabilia highlighting Bill’s illustrious career as an elected official and a civic leader.

Interviewed by Cedar City News afterward, Dirks expressed her appreciation for all those who attended the reunion. She also took a few moments to reflect on her father’s legacy.

“Bill Bruhn was my dad, my mentor, my shining example, confidant and best friend,” Dirks said. “He was a remarkable man who deeply loved his family first, his friends, his hometown of Panguitch, community, state and nation.”

Dirks said that while she was researching her father’s achievements, “I was amazed to discover all he accomplished in his short life span.”

“To sum it up, Dad taught me three simple rules to live by,” she added. “One: Always do the right thing. Two: Always do the best you can do. And three: Consistently show people that you care. Bill Bruhn was a giant of a man who walked the talk.”

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons and one granddaughter. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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