Glenn Allen Jefferson Buff

Mr. Glenn Allen Jefferson Buff, FAIA, 80, of Panama City, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, at his home with his family by his side.

He was born in Newton, N.C., a son of the Rev. Clarence Pinckney Buff and Junie Queen Buff. Mr. Buff served in the U.S. Navy, starting at age 17, between 1944 and 1948. He was a graduate of North Carolina State University School of Design in 1955 and worked on research and experimental geodesic domes with R. Buckminster Fuller, Geodesics, Inc., 1953 to 1955. He entered the South Florida design community in 1955 as head of the Design Department of Robert M. Little & Associates. He was a registered architect in Florida since 1970. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects, the College of Fellows (for Design) American Institute of Architects, the Florida Association American Institute of Architects and the Miami chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He was a past member of the AIA National Board of Directors, AIA National Board of Judicial Review and a past president of South Dade Kiwanis.
Mr. Buff was recognized for numerous design awards for his work in many locations - New York, Buffalo, N.Y., Boston, Baltimore, Memphis, Tenn. - with the majority of his work in Florida. Glenn received the Anthony L. Pullora Memorial Award, South Florida AIA Silver Medal, Florida AIA Gold Medal for Outstanding Design and Service to the AIA, and the Upjohn Fellow from the American Institute of Architects. He had a great love of the pure design of architecture, the details and spaces, and their relationship to those who enjoyed those spaces.

Mr. Buff was actively involved with his community and a community leader in the early design of South Florida, serving on numerous governmental and professional committees. His notable design projects include the University of Miami Business School, University of Miami Law School, University of Miami Maloney Hall and Student Center, Miami International Airport Concourse E and numerous other airport projects. He was an innovator in airport programming and circulation.

Until recent health problems limited his participation, he was an active competitor and fan of sports, generated by playing collegiate and Navy football and basketball and also by playing professional baseball.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Panama City, serving as an elder. He also served as and elder and clerk of session at Immanuel Presbyterian Church and Pinelands Presbyterian Church, both in Miami. He was actively involved in the national movement to form and establish the Presbyterian Church in America denomination.

Glenn is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joyce Dowell Buff; daughter, Deborah Joyce Buff Farr (husband: Roy Jennings Farr III) of Columbia, S.C.; sons, Jonathan Glenn Buff (wife: Margaret Kay Buff) of Miami, and Adam Jefferson Buff of the home; three grandchildren, Robbyn Deborah Young, Katelyn Ann Buff and Andrew "Drew" Jennings Farr; and three sisters, Irene Starnes, Inez Hildebrand and Thelma Icard, all of North Carolina. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Gladys Campbell, also of North Carolina.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, Nov. 16, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church of Panama City with family visitation starting one hour prior, from 10 to 11 a.m. Serving as pallbearers are Jonathan Buff, Adam Buff, Roy Farr, Harry White, David and George "Skip" Gilliland. Honorary pallbearers are elder members of the session of First Presbyterian Church.

Condolences can be viewed or submitted at www.kentforestlawn.com.

Kent-Forest Lawn
Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32405
2403 Harrison Ave. 763-4694