Ted Pence

BUHL -- Ted Pence, former mayor of Buhl and a decorated World War II veteran, died Saturday at his home after an extended illness. He was 81 years old. Pence entered the world of politics as a write-in candidate for mayor in 1971 and was elected to the position and successfully ran for two more terms. "He was a great teacher with a lot of good qualities.
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"Ted was my mentor when I came on board as a council member," said Mayor Barbara Gietzen.
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Pence graduated from Buhl High School in 1939 and from the University of Idaho in 1943 with a degree in geology.He married Maxine Garner before leaving for U.S. Army infantry officer candidate class at Fort Benning, Ga. Pence joined the Army's 79th Division in France six days after D-Day and remained overseas throughout the German surrender and U.S. occupation for eight months in Normandy, Central Europe, Northern France and the Rhine area in Germany.He was discharged from the Army in 1945 with the rank of captain. During his Army service, Pence earned the Silver Star, European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, four Bronze Stars with oak leaf clusters and two Purple Hearts. Returning to Buhl area, Pence worked at a number of jobs, from hardware store to grain buyer and shipper.He joined the National Guard and served for 25 years. As a colonel and commander of the 116th Regiment, Pence had about 1,400 guardsmen from southern Idaho under his command.He retired from the National Guard in 1970 as an honorary brigadier general. Pence was active in the Kiwanis Club, West End Men's Club, Clear Lake Country Club, Magic Valley Regional Medical Center board and Veterans of Foreign Wars. "Ted became more active in VFW the last few years since leaving politics and was a good man to work with on all projects," VFW Commander Harvey Pilant said.
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Pence is survived by his wife, Maxine, a daughter, three sons, brother and grandchildren.