Richard J. Buzby

Richard J. Buzby

August 12, 1938 – January 26,2021

Richard Buzby, age 82, passed away January 26, 2021, with his family by his side.

Richard was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and grew up living in North Pole with his parents, Elizabeth and Harry Elton Buzby, and his three siblings. As there was no high school in North Pole, he graduated from Fairbanks Public High in 1956. Richard loved recounting stories that vividly described what it was like to grow up in Alaska. These included stories of running trap lines in the interior of Alaska, cutting wood to heat the family home, tending gardens, and hunting for the family food. The reflections of working with family at the hunting camp, repairing Reeve aircraft in the blowing snow of the Aleutians, family 4-wheeler trips, and a short stint as a gold miner were just a small part of his adventures that seemed larger than life. A highlight of his teen years was winning National 4H awards for raising guide dogs for the blind and for Alaska’s best young gardener, which won him a trip to Chicago, Illinois.

Richard married Saundra Lee Amber in 1961. Together they raised four children and parented many foster children. Richard had many passions and enjoyed life to the fullest. Beyond his family, his greatest passion was aviation. Richard spent his whole adult life working in and being around aircraft. In May of 1957, at the age of 19, he started employment at Reeve Aleutian Airways as a mechanics helper. In 1959, Richard took a year leave to attend Northrup University to obtain his FAA mechanics license. He was with Reeve for 37 years, working through many job titles and careers, before retiring in 1993.

Richard enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1961 and was honorably discharged as an airman second class in 1967. In the 1990s Richard worked with Northern Air Cargo, helping the Sholton family bring the airfreight company into the jet age. After leaving NAC in 1997, Richard began his career with the FAA that lasted 10 years. In 2008, Richard won the FAA Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award honoring his 50 years of certified mechanic service.

Richard was a founding member of RAA FCU, turned Northern Skies FCU, and it became his second family. He served on the board of directors until his passing. In 2016, the Richard Buzby Scholarship Foundation was developed to honor Richard’s distinguished service to Northern Skies FCU.

If one word were to describe Richard, it could be “Dedication”. It is how he lived his life. Richard’s first dedication was to his family as well as to his large extended Buzby family. Throughout his working years Richard was an extremely dedicated employee. In addition to the credit union, he dedicated many hours serving as a board member and volunteer for the Alaska Food Bank, the United Way, and the Credit Union League. Richard was also recognized for his 50 years of service to the Moose Lodge in Anchorage and then in Palmer.

The family left to remember Richard are his brother, Joe Buzby (Lori); sister, Carol Bailey; brother-in-law, Brian Amber (Mary); his daughter, Theresa Buzby (Sam Maxwell); sons, Weylin Buzby and Wesley Buzby; grandchildren, Melissa (Chase), Ryan, Amber, Brody, Ashlin, Savannah, Kenny, and Emilee; and great grandchildren, Olivia, Lilly and Ben.

Waiting for Richard in heaven are his mother and father; his loving wife, Saundra; his sister, Patricia Harvey; and his daughter, Yvonne.

A Celebration of Richard’s Life will be held Friday, June 4, at 4:00 pm at the Alaska Aviation Museum, 4721 Aircraft Drive, Anchorage, AK. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Richard Buzby Scholarship Fund c/o Northern Skies Federal Credit Union, 1001 E Benson, Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99508.