The incessant winds of Wyoming calmed for a moment on July 1, 2025 to allow the soul of Paul E. “Fritz” Bugas, Sr. to pass unencumbered into everlasting life. Fritz’s humble roots began on May 5, 1929, in the Red Desert town of Wamsutter, WY. He grew up in his parents’ hotel along the Union Pacific Railroad, the youngest of eight brothers and two sisters. His youth was peppered with memories of hardship during the Great Depression, but as he often said, “I never wanted for anything.” Fritz lost his mother at a young age, but a loving sister, Helen Patricia Bugas, stepped in and made sure he was cared for and properly educated while his father ran the hotel and other businesses. He graduated from high school in Laramie and attended the University of Wyoming for one year. He completed his bachelors degree at Regis College in Denver, Colorado in 1951.
During his Regis years he met and married the love of his life, Rosemary E. McDonough. He entered into the army shortly after college and spent the next 20 years moving around southern U.S. bases and fulfilling two overseas assignments in Panama and Thailand. Before retiring from the armed forces, he served with distinction in the Vietnam War. He was in-country during the Tet Offensive and received The Legion of Merit for his valor in combat.
In 1971, Fritz became director of Project Greek Island at The Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, managing its subterranean Congressional fallout structure known as The Bunker. Fritz, his staff, hotel employees, and the community kept the bunker secret until it was made public by the Washington Post in 1992. The Greenbrier Hotel decided that The Bunker best served the hotel and the public by opening it as a museum in 1995, as a stark reminder of the Cold War. He raised his family in White Sulphur Springs and considered it to be the best assignment of his life. After two long careers of 40 years, he retired in 2006 when he and Rosemary began his next tour of duty: becoming a proud patriarch to 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Fritz loved the White Sulphur Springs community and showed his appreciation by working with local officials to build a town library. Completed in 1987, he served several terms as President of the Board of Trustees. He coached sports teams and attended untold school events with Rosemary. He was an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, was a consummate family man, and an American patriot in the truest sense. In his leisure time, any golf course called his name. His creative betting schemes, endless stories, and quirky drives made him a welcome partner in any foursome.
Fritz was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Rosemary. He remained close to his older brother, Theodore, until his death in 2022. He is survived by his children Nancy (Peter) Del Presto, Paul, Jr. (Ruth), Dan (Tracy), Tim (Teresa), Suzanne, Pete (Tami), and Gerry (Rebecca), and son-in-law Larry Malecky.
His grandchildren are: Paul Del Presto, Maggie Del Presto Robins, Jeffrey Del Presto, Ryan P. Bugas, Caitlin Bugas, Michael Bugas, Abigail Bugas Boysen, Joseph Russell Bugas, T. Ryan Bugas, Jr., Matthew Bugas, Sean Bugas, Alexandra Malecky Cenname, Laura Malecky, Daniel Malecky, Taylor Bugas Calhoun, Thomas Bugas-McWeeney, Andrew Bugas, Zachary Bugas, Tatum Bugas, Addison Bugas, and Owen Bugas. Great-grandchildren are: Luca Del Presto, Callen Del Presto, Samuel Robins, Greer Robins, Theodore Del Presto, Landon Bugas, Wyatt Bugas, Clark Bugas, Mary Bugas, Joseph Paul Bugas, Dominic Cenname, and Viviana Cenname.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the White Sulphur Springs Public Library, 344 Main Street West, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986 or to Wellspring of Greenbrier County, www.wellspringofgreenbrier.org
Arrangements are entrusted to Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, 175 Mountain Avenue, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986.
A community service will be held at the Greenbrier Hotel Chapel in White Sulphur Springs, WV, on Monday, July 14, at 11 a.m. EST. Interment will occur at a future date in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
The family would like to acknowledge Fritz’s primary caregivers these past two years: Olinda, Karen, and Monica. To these hard-working, caring women, we thank you immensely.
We also indebted to the dedicated therapists, nurses, doctors and staff at Sheltering Arms, Beth Shalom, The Westmont at Short Pump, and St. Mary’s Hospital, all of Richmond, VA, for their care of Fritz during his final years.
Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.
