2023

The family of Henry “Buzz” and Betty Florip will celebrate the couple’s 70th wedding anniversary. They were married Aug. 30, 1953, at Philomath Church of the Nazarene in Philomath.

Buzz, 92, a U.S. Army veteran and former smokejumper with the U.S. Forest Service, had a 44-year career in radio and television broadcasting, including 20 years at KOBI-TV in Medford. He is also a past president of the Oregon Association of Broadcasters. Originally born in Rogers City, Michigan, Buzz moved to Oregon in the early 1950s and enrolled in what was then known as Oregon State College in Corvallis.

Betty, 89, is a former nurse, civic volunteer, homemaker, minister’s daughter and a lifelong Oregonian.

Buzz and Betty met at a birthday party south of Corvallis, each attending separately with friends. The outdoor gathering included a large bonfire for roasting marshmallows. At one point, Buzz was struck by the errant swing of a marshmallow stick, and left with marshmallow on his neck and shirt. The girl who swung the stick graciously offered to help clean it off. When the girl’s friend later asked for a ride home for both of them, Buzz and his friend agreed. Upon returning home, the girl who swung the marshmallow stick didn’t recall his name. She casually told her mother: “It’s not a big deal … I’m not going to marry the guy.” As it turned out, she did.

The wedding was a large event, celebrated in Philomath with 274 guests in attendance and a wedding party of 16. Betty’s father, Avery Oliver, was the minister who started the church, and the occasion was a major event for members of the church. Betty’s father didn’t officiate the ceremony as minister; instead, he walked his daughter down the aisle.

Buzz and Betty started their married life together in Corvallis, in an upstairs apartment near the Oregon State campus. They moved into their first house in Corvallis within a few years. During their 70 years together, Buzz and Betty have always called Oregon home, also living in Eugene, Lincoln City, Newport, Grants Pass and Medford. They’ve resided in Southern Oregon since 1975.

The couple still enjoy independently living in their own home, hosting family for visits, attending church and going out to eat with friends.

After 70 years (so far) of marriage, Buzz and Betty attribute humility, acceptance and self-sacrifice to their longevity.

“The reason we’re still together is, we still look and see what the other person needs,” Betty says.

She added: “Seventy years goes by really fast.”

The Florips will celebrate the milestone of their 70th wedding anniversary with friends and family, including three children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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