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Bud L. Kaufman, co-founder of Croman Corp. and later a founder director of People’s Bank of Commerce, has died at 84. “He had a tremendous impact in our area,” said People’s Bank of Commerce Chairman Bill Jacobs. “His passing is a great loss for our bank.” While still in their teens, Kaufman and Arnold Dwain Cross founded Cross and Kaufman Logging Co. in Cave Junction in 1954. The operation prospered throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California, and their holdings expanded as they purchased mills in Ashland and Klamath Falls. “They were 19 when they started with a tractor and chainsaw, and a loan from one of their dads,” said Jim Wright, who was an asphalt and paving supplier for Croman and later People’s Bank board member. “That’s how they started the business.” In the mid-1970s, Croman Corp. launched an aviation wing that grew from aerial logging and firefighting into heavy-lift capabilities with a fleet of more than a dozen helicopters providing construction and transportation services across North America from its White City base. “When the timber industry failed, they were onto the helicopter industry, and they made it work,” said Wright, a supplier when he ran the asphalt and paving firm Lininger’s. “There are people who make a difference in the world and do what they do every day without thinking about it. They’re one of a kind and a dying breed.” Wright worked with Kaufman in a variety of capacities for nearly 40 years. “From a business standpoint, he was a man of his word,” Wright said. “He was a visionary, and could always figure out ways of seeing the bright side of things. His thought process was, “How can we make this work.’” Later on, Kaufman provided financial gifts and his time to a wide range of entities. “They gave back to this community and have a loyalty to Southern Oregon that was unique to the timber industry,” Wright said. In his years as a bank director, Kaufman was a listener, Jacobs said. “He was very interested in other people’s viewpoints,” Jacobs said. “Sometimes he would wait until the last minute, and then say, ‘I’ve got a comment I’d like to make.’ He wasn’t a domineering influence, but when he spoke, it was like the old E.F. Hutton commercial, we stopped and listened to Bud.” Medford attorney Bob Robertson, an east Medford hills neighbor of Kaufman’s, said the employment they provided over the years was far-reaching. “I can’t think of any small business where the partners have stayed together 60 years,” Robertson said. “They had a great economic impact throughout Jackson County.” Kaufman is survived by his wife, Marionann (Thompson) Kaufman; six children, Nancy Zelazny, Kurt Kaufman, Kory Kaufman, Tony Lausmann, Craig Lausmann and Sharon Lausmann; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial services are planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Table Rock Fellowship. Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary is in care of arrangements: www.hillcrestmortuary.com . Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @ GregMTBusiness or www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 .