Bud Allen left enduring legacy

Dear editor:

As County Agent and Ag Professor with the University of Idaho, I had the honor and privilege of working with Bud Allen, distinguished 4-H leader and teacher, and learned a great deal from his unique and effective teaching style.

Mr. Allen possessed the most advanced knowledge in Ranch Horse System Training, and developed a "Ranch Horse Training" educational video, which has been used for years by the National Horse Council in many of their local and regional training workshops.

Mr. Allen was a dedicated 4-H Horse Leader, gifted teacher and inspired coach. He listened, cared, led, inspired and empowered 4-H youth with whom he worked.

His ever-ready smile, hard work and the true pleasure he took in working with our youth translated into a generation of 4-Hers well-versed in "horse sense" and an appreciation of true values and the dignity of a job well done.

For the past 25 years, I used Mr. Allen's teaching methods in my 4-H educational training sessions. His legacy of principal-based education and applied training will remain forever in our hearts and minds.

It was a pleasure to observe Mr. Allen teach and interact with 4-H youth. I was impressed with his depth of understanding and ability to effectively communicate with them. When answering their questions, he held to their level of understanding and communicated with respect and motivational body language.

These friendly interactions instilled self-confidence and enthusiasm in the 4-Hers, and created a very positive environment that enhanced the experiential learning process.

Despite the age difference, 4-H youth accepted and looked upon him as their friend.

The Ranch Horse Project, which Mr. Allen led, is complicated and creative, with difficult processes to be applied. However, Mr. Allen had an amazing ability to observe the learning styles of 4-Hers from a wide angle and thus focus on their strengths, so that they remained undaunted and excited to learn. He taught the art and philosophy of doing and accomplishing with respect and dignity, and his positive attitude was contagious.

From Mr. Allen's actions, I learned the true meaning of spirituality. He gave with joy, and joy will be his reward.

Our 4-Hers' heartfelt prayers will light the pathway on his journey to the House of our Lord and everlasting peace in the loving Hands of our Creator.

In his memory, a Bud Allen 4-H Scholarship Fund has been set up at U.S. Bank. Your contributions to this fund will continue his profound legacy of education, leadership and citizenship and create educational opportunities for future generations of 4-Hers.

Mir-M. Seyedbagheri