Allen Buskirk

"Crossed the Bar" on July 18, 2008 at home. Allen was born on April 11, 1923 in Bloomington, Indiana, son of Allen V. and Helen A. Buskirk. Married in 1950 to Phyllis R. Buskirk, who survives, along with three of their children, Leslie (Bruno Pucci), William (Barbara), and Janet (Ben Nieves); their fourth, Carol (Larry Dault) died in 2001; nine grandchildren, Emilia and Jessica Pucci, Brendan, Bryan and Bret Buskirk, Daniel (Nicole), Amy, David and Sharon Dault, one sister, Martha Kaufman and several nieces and nephews. He attained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army 1943-46 while serving in the Pacific theater. He completed his Ph.D. in nuclear physics at Indiana University and started teaching at Kalamazoo College in 1953. He chaired the Department of Physics from 1962-1976, retiring in 1978. He was named to the John Hornbeck Chair of Physics in 1964. Many of his students who went on to complete graduate degrees recall his challenging hands-on approach to experimental science. In later years, he assisted in the development of science education programs for teachers in training at Western Michigan University. Commander of the Kalamazoo Sail and Power Squadron in 1983, he taught piloting, navigation skills and weather to others. As captain of the sloop "Andiamo" (Italian for Let's Go!), Allen was an enthusiastic explorer of Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior. A memorial service will be held August 23, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church, Kalamazoo, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Capital Campaign, American Cancer Society, or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St.