It is with sadness to announce the unexpected passing of our awesome dad, Paul (Bud) David Quam, April 27, 2023.

 Born and raised in Spokane June 4, 1937, he was the youngest of three, with sisters Connie Forkner & Carol Matthews, from parents Leonard and Lea Quam.

Dad had a lifelong love of music. His mom was a violinist and helped teach the his sisters piano and cello.  At North Central HS, Paul played the lyre (glockenspiel) for the marching band. This added to the appreciation of mallet instruments like the marimba and xylophone which he owned over the years.  

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One of his several favorite relationships from grade school to the 80's, were with Lee & Francis Latton (Lattons Kiddie Land had small amusement rides for children and families as a alternative to the big Natatorium Park), where he was learning and operating rides.  This was another instance of appreciation, and the love of merry-go-rounds, carousels and the sound and mechanics of band organs throughout his life. He was an member of the National Carousel Association and he was active with the Loeff Carousel band organ in Riverfront Park.  He also traveled to see and record collection's back east and traveled to Europe with the association to visit and hear carousels there.  Dad also met Paul and Irene Carter who owned Sound Recording Company, during high school and they too were instrumental in a friendship and mentoring as well as influencing dad's hobbies and career doing audio.  What he previously knew growing up as well as learned from them was the ability again, to make opportunities in recording and sound reinforcement throughout his life.

While in high-school he was playing music & emceeing many dances at school and colleges and had a weekend radio show playing teen hits on KSPO. 

After graduating in 1956 he joined the Air Force, stationed in Texas at Biggs Air  Force Base as a film librarian with a side responsibility of a emergency NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) technician. He made opportunities doing projects both on base as well as in the community with recording and providing sound reinforcement for events, concerts and business grand openings. Discharged in 1961 he returned to Spokane and drove bus for City Lines and marrying Betty Thoorsell in 1962 and starting a family. It was in the mid 60's that he began a long career with Favorite Theaters.  Starting as manager for the West End Drive-In by the airport then moving to East Sprague drive-in theater for several years. In the winter months he managed several indoor theaters. During these times with the company he also was concessions manager the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds as well as the racetrack concessions. He also providing sound for the many events and shows including the Autoboat speed show where he met several celebrities including Henry Winkler, the Fonz, from the TV show Happy Days. Dad recalled being told by him that this was his first show this size with an audience other than the TV interviews and was very nervous. This combined with having to move equipment and rewire the speakers to another part of the building, they both pulled off memorable and fun experience. During this time he moved on to manage the Lincoln Heights Twin theater for many years expanding to a triplex with the city's first 70mm cinema screen. After leaving the theater business, dad was drawn back to it becoming most known to the community as the voice and manager of the newly reopened Garland Dollar Theater for many years, and being recognized for that achievement long after retiring from there. 

Also known for his love of audio recording doing organ and choir concerts & recitals at Our Lady of Lords and St John's Churches and other places. That lead into the business opportunity of doing audio, film and video restoration and duplication which lasted into his early 80's. 

He is survived by his son, Dan, daughter Karen and the kitty he loved. A celebration of his life will be at a later date.

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