David (Dave) E. Buckland passed peacefully July 15, 2020 at his Tallahassee home. He was born on October 21, 1935 to Sam and Lillian Buckland in Sharon, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Mumford High School in Detroit, Michigan, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1957. In 1954 Dave married the love of his life, Arlene, sharing 65 years of marriage.
Dave Buckland was a man whose large personality matched his large frame. Everywhere he went, he seemed to know everyone. Whether it was at Jake Gaither golf course, Old Town Café, Ricardo's or any other of his regular stops, everybody was somebody to Dave Buckland. He would regularly shout out your name in his booming voice as you approached, and his hug, upon your arrival, was as warm as the greeting. Dave was a generous man, always having a love the game of golf. Any young child who wanted to learn the game, Dave always had a set of clubs ready to give to spark the child's interest in the game.
Dave had a flair for the dramatic that was shown in his love for Broadway musicals, Barbara Streisand and Frank Sinatra. He and his wife, Arlene, were longtime season ticket holders to many shows that came through the Civic Center, and many a friend remembers discussing the latest rendition of a classic during the intermission.
Why do people go to the Great Lakes? Their beauty, entertainment and recreation all draw them in -- but the sense of constancy is what makes people stay. Lined throughout the lakes are cabins that have stood for generations, and people come to remember their own childhoods on the lakes. In much the same way, Dave's marriage to Arlene was just like the constancy of the Great Lakes - 65 years! So much has come and gone in that time, and yet their marriage remained sure. Companies came and went, countries rose and fell, and the Buckland marriage remained unchanged. What a testimony to their love for each other! His common reminder to Arlene was that they were "Always One" and the weightiness of the vow, "Until death do us part" rang true in their lives. What a wonderful life of a man who loved and laughed and lived with a remarkable sense of generosity and flair.
Dave is survived by his wife, Arlene; daughter, Gail; son, Bruce and daughter-in-love, Debi; grandson, Daniel and his wife, Sarah; two great grandsons, Zev and Eliana; and granddaughter, Malka.
A small private military service was held at the Tallahassee National Cemetery on July 22, 2020.
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