Greenbrier County, WV (WOAY) – Let’s take a moment to remember Paul E. ‘Fritz’ Bugas Sr.
Paul was born May 5, 1929, in Wyoming and passed away July 1, 2025.
Fritz grew up as the youngest out of eight brothers and two sisters during the great depression. Later in life, he graduated from Laramie High School and went to the University of Wyoming for a year, then completed a bachelor’s degree at Regis College in Denver, Colorado, in 1951.
During his time at Regis, he met and married his wife, Rosemary E. McDonough. After college, Fritz joined the army and served 20 years, fulfilling two overseas assignments and also served in the Vietnam War, earning the Legion of Merit.
In 1971, Fritz became the director of Project Greek Island at the Greenbrier. We now know it as the hidden bunker.
Fritz managed the congressional fallout shelter, and he and his staff kept it secret for years, until the Washington Post revealed the bunker in 1992. The bunker then became a museum in 1995 to preserve the history of the Cold War.
Fritz retired in 2006, after 40 years of work.
During this time, he and his wife had their family in White Sulfur Springs, and now he has 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
He also supported his community by building a town library in 1987 and coaching sports teams.
Fritz stated that the bunker was the best assignment of his life.
Paul will be missed by many.
