Annual Report - 2001
Legacy Story - Buddy & Nancy Anguish

Buddy Anguish lived largely and completely – a passionate participant wherever he went. And he loved the arts.

It is impossible to think of the arts in the Permian Basin without thinking of Buddy and Nancy Anguish, always generous. The Midland-Odessa Symphony, Midland Community Theatre, museums, and public radio were but a few of their many causes.

“Helping young people get started was one of his favorite things,” said Nancy, Buddy’s wife of 23 years. “And if someone had an interest in dance, and he saw a program that he thought they would like, he’d buy tickets and see that they got there,” she said. “We had a long list of young friends who were singers and musicians.”

And what a wonderful sense of humor he had! For many years, Buddy and Nancy co-produced a comedy at Midland Community Theatre and invited friends to join in the fun.

“It was always a comedy, usually a British comedy, and we just loved them,” Nancy said. “We would invite lots of people, and have food before the performance, and then Buddy would get up and give his ‘curtain speech’. I’m sure the actors backstage were probably wondering when he was going to stop, and the people out front were wondering when he was going to stop. He had such a good time.”

In addition to their love of the arts, the Anguishes traveled widely, both abroad and in the U.S. They especially loved New York, where they enjoyed theatre and the opera.

Buddy died of cancer January 2, 2001, just weeks before his 72nd birthday. In his memory, Nancy and the family’s many friends established the Buddy Anguish Memorial Fund. Administered by the Foundation, this charitable fund will perpetuate Buddy’s passionate tradition of sharing with others.