Obituary: Buskirk, Harvey A.
Harvey A. Buskirk, Maj. USAF, age 88, died July 16, 2012, peacefully at home after a long illness.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 yrs, Maxine; loving daughter, Kathleen Ann Lundy and spouse Robert-Spokane; loving son, Randy L Buskirk and spouse Ikuko-Spokane.
He also leaves behind three very special grandchildren, Kristina Lundy Weiss and spouse J.D.-Maple Valley WA, Erin N. Lundy-Spokane and Alex Buskirk-Spokane; great granddaughter Weiss coming in Nov. 2012; special friend, Valentina Garzoli Magers-Petaluma CA; and sister, Marie Busk-Hayward CA.
Harvey is an US Air Corps and Air Force veteran of WWII and the Korean War where he served as a Command pilot for 58 missions with the 13th Bomb Squadron of the 3rd Bomb Wing.
During his 24 yr military career he was a pilot of F-84, P-47, B-26, B-25 and A-20 aircraft and received 13 medals for his service.
During his assignment to the Aerospace Studies Institute Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, he was the Dept of Defense official US representative with the multinational Australian National Antarctic Expedition in 1962 to conduct scientific research and testing.
As a key participant in research, exploration and mapping the coastline of Northern Victoria Land, the New Zealand and Australian governments approved the naming of Buskirk Bluffs on the western side of McMahon Glacier in Antarctica in his honor.
He was awarded the Antarctic Service Medal and Silver Anvil Award in recognition of his contributions to International Relations and to the International Geophysical Year program.
Following his military career, he pursued a second career in real estate in California before retiring to Spokane in 1979.
Born on July 23, 1923 in Whiting, NJ, his early childhood during the depression was spent with his family following and harvesting crops in CA and ID as migrant farm laborers.
Orphaned at 13 and separated from his siblings, he was placed in California foster care until eligible to join the military where he achieved success through hard work and dedication learned from his early years.
We smile as we remember Dad as the backyard scientist growing his own garden plants from seed or cross breeding varieties, never being afraid to create or tweak a food recipe, transforming something old into something new, ever the handyman that could fix or repair anything, reading and following current events and local sports teams, and above all, Mom’s lifelong companion.
He was easy going and well-liked by all who knew him.
He will be forever in Our Hearts.
The family expresses their gratitude to Dr Jeffrey Clode and Jeanette for their compassionate care for Dad during these past years.
Memorial donations may be made to the State Veterans Cemetery general fund in Harvey’s name.