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John Buddenhagen Obituary
John served two years in the Peace Corps in Panama where he did community development work and mastered Spanish. He worked most of his adult life for the US Immigration & Naturalization Services, in El Centro, CA, Albuquerque, NM, El Paso, TX, and since 1987 in Alaska, including Port Alcan, Dutch Harbor, and Anchorage, where he has resided since 1991. Special assignments took him to various foreign countries including Italy, Thailand, Japan, and Cuba.
John had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, a love of nature, mountains, lakes and streams. He loved to travel and tried to learn as much as he could about every place he went, history, archeology, geology, and politics. He enjoyed photography, hiking, maps and visiting friends and family. Family remembers him as family oriented, a good father, intelligent, kind, honest, polite, thoughtful, generous, and a strong and independent person. He loved dogs and was an Iditarod volunteer. He will be missed immensely.
The services will be at the family cemetery on the family farm 10 miles south of Grants Pass, Oregon, on August 13, 2011.
John was preceded in death by his father Harold J. Buddenhagen and his mother Pearl Marie Masteller, and is survived by his son Eric Buddenhagen of Alubquerque, NM, two daughters Linda Kehoe of Bernalillo, NM and Dolly J. Thomas of Harrisburg, SD; by his sister Barbara Winkelstein of San Francisco, CA, his brothers Ivan Buddenhagen of Davis Californnia, and James Buddenhagen of Xico, Ver. Mexico, and by his dog Duchess, his faithful companion for these last 12 years.
Arrangements were entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel
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Memories and Condolences
for John Buddenhagen
Paul Kelley
July 23, 2025
many fond memories of your dad...such a fine man...
Jim Lloyd
July 22, 2025
john was one of the kindest people I have ever known. I will always cherish our summer vacations at the Buddenhagens, beginning 69 years ago. Rest in peace, John!
Carolyn Lloyd
August 11, 2011
I have very fond memories of spending our two week summer vacations at the farm with John his brother James,and their parents in Murphy, Oregon during our childhood. I will always cherish those times.
Jim Lloyd
August 10, 2011
I was shocked and saddened when I heard about John's passing. He was my second cousin who we began visiting in 1956 at their farm every summer while we were growing up. He was 3 years older than my brother and me, but he and his brother James always took us under their wing and showed us a great time. We idolized them! Our hearts go out to his family.
John Lloyd
August 10, 2011
Growing up, I have very fond memories of spending our family's two week vacation on the Buddenhagen's farm ("South of the Clouds") in Oregon, and hanging out with my cousins, John and his brother, James. In more recent years, I've been fortunate to visit John in Anchorage, as well as see him and Duchess as they passed through Idaho. I'll always remember him as a very kind and low-keyed individual.
Duane Myklejord
August 8, 2011
Aug.8 2011
I was saddened this morning with the news about John.He was a member of our great Peace Corps group 6 as we trained at Tucson,mexico,Puerto Rico as well as in country Panama,before spending our term promoting friendship and peace throughout Panama.I was one of the fortunate to have known John.One more loved one I have lost!
Duane Myklejord RPCV 1964
Jodi Hess Kelnhofer
August 7, 2011
I remember always laughing and enjoying when we were around your dad. Hoping for peace and comfort for you all.
August 6, 2011
I met your father (and Duchess) on the ferry from AK to Bellingham 2 winters ago. We both were traveling with faithful canine companions. Your Dad had a gentle presence that made the trip most pleasant. It was obvious he had a special love for his dog, and she, him. He mentioned how special his kids were, also. I'm so saddened to hear of John's passing and send my heartfelt condolences. Shoo Salasky
August 6, 2011
John Buddenhagen was beloved by all in his Peace Corps group that firrst met in Tucson, AZ in the summer of 1964, as we trained to be let loose in Panama.
Others here have commented on John's unquenchable thirst for knowledge. This obsevation is spot on. In our group, John was nicknamed veinte preguntas (20 questions) because no matter the subject, John was relentless and always wanted to dig deeper' to know more about the topic at hand; any topic. In temperament and generousity of spirit, John was the genuwine article. Authentic in every way. He will be missed by all of us and out collective hearts go out to his family for sharing him with us in those formative years (64-66) and is the succeeding years since. May God rest his gentle soul.
Joe Looby (Glenside, PA)
Roberta Arellano & Matthew Castillo
July 31, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May time ease your sorrow and loving memories bring you peace.
Jenn Davidson
July 31, 2011
My heart goes out to you all at this very difficult time. John's adventurous spirit and thirst for knowledge left a lasting impression. It was truly a privilege to know him. You will all be in my prayers! God bless you!
July 29, 2011
I am sorry for your loss, Dolly, Linda and Eric. My thoughts and prayers are with you.-Jennifer Mahoney McCarthy
John and Duchess
Paul Kelley
July 29, 2011
John was a kind gentle man. Really never had a bad word to say about anyone and I don't remember him even ever raising his voice. My wife and I considered John a dear friend and will greatly miss and our visits in recent years when he and Duchess passed through Tok.
Cheryl Weaver
July 29, 2011
Dolly, I am sorry to hear about your dad. I just read about him and he truly sounds like an amazing man with a big heart.
Tamera kelly
July 28, 2011
I'm so sorry about John. Tamera Kelly
Robert Eddy
July 28, 2011
There are a lot of great John Buddenhagen stories, and I'm happy to have been involved in many of them. I was proud to have John as my friend and member of my INS staff.
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