Our wonderful, loving, thoughtful, mesmerizing and loquacious father passed
away quietly while he slept. John was crazy in love with his wife of 71 years,
Audrey Henderson Buckingham who preceded him in death in 2019. He will
forever and always remain the devoted father to John Curtis Buckingham, Jr.
(Marinela), Mark Henderson Buckingham (Marie), Julia Buckingham
Edelmann (John) and Marcia Ellsworth Buckingham (David Hockabout).
His grandchildren will always remember him with a huge smile as
"Poppy”. They are; Alexandra Buckingham Slocum (Doug), John C.
Buckingham III, Grant Haris Buckingham, John Moretti Buckingham (Victoria
Lafferty), Philip Henderson Buckingham, Michael Ellsworth Buckingham,
Caroline Edelmann Fisher (Baer), Alexander Curtis Edelmann, Madeline
Buckingham Edelmann (Samuel Vodicka), Drake Buckingham Mueller and
“greatly” blessed Great Grandfather to Quinn Goebel Fisher.
John Sr. was so iconic that creating a simple obituary alluded us as we all
searched for the right words and a concise compilation of his massive
accomplishments and achievements. He was a student and graduate of the
University of Chicago- with an interruption in his studies to become a United
States Army Air Corps Pilot (USAF) during WWII-pursuing his patriotic duty
as well as his lifelong desire to fly. His inspiration and love of flying began
when as a small child he was placed on the wing of Charles Lindbergh’s plane
during a visit to Denver, Colorado by the young pilot. He was a member of the
Delta Kappa Epsilon National Fraternity while at the UC.
Young John (17 years of age) was stationed at Tinian Island Air Base and later
at Clark Field Air Base in the Philippine Islands during his enlistment
overseas during the war. Our Dad held all instrument and flight ratings,
eventually commanding a B-29 in the Pacific Theater of World War II. He was
a lifelong private pilot who belonged to the Flying Physicians Organization
and also to the Daedalians- Advocates for air and space power and honor to
those who flew and fly in defense of our nation.
Upon returning to complete his studies he then graduated from Northwestern
University School of Medicine with honors. Dr. John C. Buckingham practiced
in the OB/GYN field for over 25 years at Evanston Hospital (now North Shore
Hospital) and delivered over 2,000 babies during his long career. He also
attended to patients at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois and donated
his time to The Cradle Adoption Agency in Evanston and provided pro-bono
medical care to students at Northwestern University.
In 1976, Dad rejoined the United States Air Force as a Flight Surgeon and
Hospital Commander. “Doc” Buckingham as the base servicemen and
servicewomen called him, retired from the USAF with the rank of Colonel.
He has been the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions throughout his
civilian and military careers. Most recently, Dr. Buckingham was inducted
into the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine’s Half Century
Club for esteemed alumni of that prestigious institution.
We already miss him terribly- his goofy songs, his play on words that would
allow us to erupt in laughter every single time- his prodigious vocabulary that
had us scrambling for a dictionary, his adoration of our mother that broke his
heart upon her passing, and his love of wearing
Black Watch and Pendleton
plaids for every single holiday. And, last but most certainly not least was his
devotion to all of his patients that culminated in his delivering twin boys that
were named John and Curtis after him. We will not forget also his dedication
to his country and to his eternal patriotism. Dad, we salute you with so much
love!
Interment will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona with full
military tribute and honors on Monday March 29th with a Celebration of Life
“Surrounded by love” attended by all of his immediate family over Memorial
Day weekend.
Donations can be made in his name to The American Cancer Society.
DONATIONS
American Cancer Association
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