Warren J. "Bud" Daheim's Obituary
Bud was born May 3, 1930 in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Mathias and Eva Daheim. The second child in a Catholic household, Bud was a bright and intrepid youth. He simultaneously awed and alarmed his parents with his mischievous antics, which usually involved his life long pal, Tom O’ Neil. Bud graduated from Cretin-Derham Hall, St Paul MN in 1948, before attending the College of St Thomas, where he received a BA in political science in 1952.
Bud met his future wife, Betty Seaberg, who was a young coworker of his mother’s, in 1951. He was so smitten that he proposed on their second date. Though their courtship was interrupted by Bud’s stint in the US Airforce where he served as flight navigator before instrumentation, they eventually married on April 21, 1954. Betty gave birth to their first child Theresa while Bud was serving at McChord Airforce Base in Parkland WA. The young family moved back to Minneapolis so that Bud could attend University of Minnesota School of Law from which he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1958 . In Minnesota their family grew to include children Kathleen, Lisa and Martin and eventually Margaret and Timothy. Perhaps due to an even colder than usual Minnesota winter, Bud abruptly decided to move the family back to more temperate Tacoma in 1961.
Bud joined what would become Gordon Thomas Honeywell Malanca Peterson and Daheim in 1962. His intellect, compassion and enthusiasm for the law, distinguished him throughout his career. He held many esteemed positions to include WSBA-selected Editor in Chief of the commercial Law Desk book, as well as elected member to both the elite College of Real Estate Lawyers and of the American College of Trial Lawyers. His proudest achievement may have been his 1993 argument in front of the US Supreme Court, lovingly referred to at GTH as BUD v. HUD. Though he may have been equally proud of humbler accomplishments. His first two clients Ray Dally and Kurt Mayer stuck with him for life, both as clients and dear friends. Bud believed people want a lawyer that will wake up in the middle of the night worrying about their problems, a value he taught many proteges at GTH, especially Margaret Archer.
Though Bud was widely respected as a lawyer, he will be remembered most for his love of family and his endearing idiosyncrasies. Bud and Betty’s family flourished in Parkland, where they welcomed Cynthia, Beth, Sarah and Matthew. Weeks were filled with trips to the ocean, youth swimming, the Seattle Sonics, and Husky Football. Bud and Betty began experiencing six weeks of retirement annually in Maui, where they enjoyed long leisurely beach walks, poolside reading, and early morning ocean swims. While on vacation, Bud proudly learned new skills such as grocery shopping and cooking. His specialties included tomato soup with weiners, and Wheaties with bananas. Another favorite tradition were weekly movie dates with Betty – unfortunately or fortunately for Betty, Bud loved all movies, no matter how terrible. He consistently predicted great things for local sports teams, against all odds and common sense. He could always be found between stacks of biographies, histories, and pillars of faith, like Thomas More.
Bud lost Betty in 2017, a loss the family did not think he would recover from. Thanks to support from his family, the GTH law firm Family, and a deep faith, the family experienced three special years of love, travel, and bonus family time, despite his heartbreak. And as abruptly as Bud’s ended phone calls and moved from Minnesota, Bud left and joined Betty and the Communion of Saints.
Bud was preceded in death by wife Betty, his parents, sister Barbara Grygelko, brother David Daheim, son Martin, and grandson Paul. He is survived by sister in law Mary Daheim, sons Timothy (Sandy), Matthew (Kristina), and daughters Theresa Boyle (Russ), Kathy Rodgers (John), LIsa Daheim, Margaret Herd (Damon), Cynthia Stuart (Rich), Beth Dykman (Kevin), and Sarah Daheim; 26 grandchildren, and a flurry of great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family would requests donations be made to the Betty Lou Daheim Fund at the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, 950 Pacific Avenue, Suite 1100 Tacoma, WA 98402
Please honor the life and memory of Bud by leaving cherished memories, messages, and photos for his family on the guestbook page. To ensure the health and safety of our community, we are following all guidelines set by local, state and CDC officials. Please contact the funeral home with any questions and we encourage friends and families to check back for service updates.
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