Obituary of Elwin Carl Cramer

Elwin "Bud" Carl Cramer Age 74, of Elmira. He was born September 28, 1948 in Elmira, the son of the late Alan and Leah (Sperry) Cramer, and passed away in the care of the Bath V.A. Medical Center in the morning on Thursday, May 11th 2023. Bud is survived by his loving wife Ina (Herrington); daughter Megan (Paul) Andrews of Horseheads, with their children Brayden & Landon; son Jason (Kate) Cramer of Arkansas, with his children Hailey, Chloe, Ethan, and Gavin; sister Sue (Rich) Maizel with their children Lexie & Josh (and their families); brother Jim Cramer with his son Warren (and his family); brother Dana Cramer; along with a host of dear friends. Bud was a class of '66 Horseheads High School graduate. He served in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1972, being honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. He worked for Schweizer Aircraft for a few years, after which he worked for St. Joseph's Hospital in various positions until his retirement. He rode motorcycles in his younger years, sometimes too fast. He loved rock & roll music and played acoustic guitar. He and Ina spent several years dancing the night away with "Studio 1262" ballroom dance group. His true passion in life was flying sailplanes with the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation. He flew commercial sailplane flights and taught the joy of soaring to the next generation as a flight instructor. During many summers, he worked there as an additional full-time job, managing the summer operations for HHSC. Bud was awarded a lifetime membership at Harris Hill in recognition for his many decades of involvement and contributions. Bud received a diagnosis of Parkinson's in 1999; he would go on to live with this disease, enjoy his hobbies, and continue to work for many years. In his retirement from St. Joseph's Hospital in Elmira, the staff were continually amazed at Bud's work ethic and tenacity even in his last working years. Bud's family wishes to extend their gratitude to all who have supported Bud and will continue to care for his family, but especially to the staff at the Bath V.A. Hospital for their 'phenomenal' care given to Bud for the last eight years. A graveside military ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 8th at 2:00 PM at Maple Grove Cemetery in Horseheads, followed by a Celebration of Bud's life at the National Soaring Museum. Those wishing may honor Bud's memory with a donation to the National Soaring Museum or the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation.