Celebrating the life of Paul Butzen,
1941 - 2004
Running with Tom Kaufman Usually I use this space to write about an event, an individual or some emotional reaction I have related to running, racing or fitness in general. I want this column to
reflect the joy of running and the wonderful people involved with the sport. This month is no different, but I am writing with a significant touch of sadness.
On June 20, in the middle of a beautiful Father's Day afternoon, Paul Butzen drowned while attempting to help a man recover his capsized kayak on the Sheboygan River near Kohler, Wisconsin. Paul and his son paddled their canoe into an eddy below a dam where they became trapped by the current and capsized themselves. The kayaker and
Paul's son made it safely to shore but sadly, Paul did not. Paul did not know the man he was trying to help. He was playing the role of a good Samaritan. Paul's longtime friend Clyde Moeser said, "When Paul saw a need, he was always willing to help."
I did not have the privilege of knowing Paul personally. I was, however, keenly aware of some of his work with the running community. Paul and Bob Bailey founded the Fond du Lac Running Club in 1978. Paul served in many capacities
with the club including as a longtime board member and as president for 15 years. FDRC board member Peter Mathias said the club was started at the height of the first running boom.
Paul had started running while stationed in Hawaii and when he came back to Wisconsin he wanted to share the joy he had found with others. "Paul Butzen was the running guru of Fond du Lac," Mathias said.
Part of Paul's legacy is the Walleye Run/Walk. Started in 1980, this year marked the 25th
anniversary for "the Walleye." As with most races, this one started small. But with Paul's leadership and creativity, the Walleye Run has grown into one of the area's premier events with over 1,600 runners in 2003. According to members of the FDRC, the race will definitely go on.
Both Mathias and Moeser talked of Paul's commitment to the youth of the community and his enthusiastic encouragement and promotion of running. The Walleye Run includes distances for children under age 6
(1/3 mile), 7-12 (one mile) as well as a three-mile walk to complement the standard five-mile race.
Paul's commitment to youth did not end with the Walleye, however. Mathias said Paul started the Buttermilk Creek Run just for kids. "At its height, there were over 1,000 children running," he said. Paul spent 16 years as the cross-country coach at Fond du Lac Goodrich High School. This gave him a chance to work with young runners every day. Indeed, many of his high school runners
remained in contact with their former coach.
Paul's commitment to running and his club was deep indeed. When I spoke with Clyde Moeser, he had just returned from the club's weekly track workout. Paul served as coach and motivator for this segment of the FDRC, planning out each week's workouts and helping everyone through the grind of tough training. "Paul was such a fixture, you just expected him to be there," Moeser said.
The loss of Paul Butzen will be keenly felt especially
in the Fond du Lac area. But as with Greg Marr, it is not the loss we should dwell on. Rather, there are remarkable accomplishments we should celebrate. Paul Butzen was a man who touched thousands of lives. "He was the heart and sole of the Fond du Lac Running Club," Moeser affirmed.
As I spoke with his friends and read newspaper accounts of his life, it became clear that Paul led by example. He "walked the walk." This is something all of us have the opportunity to do.
There are so many places that our energy and enthusiasm can be used. We may not have the drive of Paul Butzen, but we can certainly learn from his wonderful example.
Look around at the runners in your town. How many of them might benefit from a little time or expertise from you? Everyone has something to offer. Contact a local race director. I can guarantee you that they will welcome your help with anything you wish to do. Most races are put on by volunteers. Perhaps you have computer or
design skills, perhaps you own a truck to haul race equipment, maybe you have time to work at a water stop. Whatever you can do will help ensure that the race you love will continue in the future.
Are there new runners in your town? There are always new runners and most of the time they are intimidated by the veterans out pounding the miles. Maybe you can be the one who forms a group for new runners. Choose a time and place and just get the word out. People will come, maybe not too many
at first. But with a modicum of time investment and some welcoming energy, you might be just the one who helps someone else on the road to fitness. You may not have the answers to every technical question, but your friendship and encouragement will go a long way to help motivate and sustain new runners.
In reporting the news of Paul's death, The Fond du Lac Reporter spoke to Bill Volkman. Paul helped Volkman train for his first marathon in 1980. Volkman now coaches and teaches in Virginia.
I can think of no greater tribute to a teacher and coach than to have former athletes follow their lead into the profession.
We all lead busy lives. And not everyone has the time, patience and knowledge to become a coach. Yet most of us could do something, even if it is small. If your children or other children you know participate in sports, contact the coach to see how you can help. You might not know how to teach the pole vault, but you can time at meets, organize team dinners or help
with transportation. Trust me on this: When it come to high school sports, there is always something to do.
The loss of Paul Butzen is tragic. But Paul's life and his work with both adults and children in his community should be celebrated. He has truly left his mark. We should all strive to do the same.
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