Peter J. Buttner

Peter J. Buttner Niskayuna Peter J. Buttner, 83, departed this life on Monday, April 27, 2015. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Peter and Margaret (Flood) Buttner. After graduating from high school in Queens, NY, Peter served in the US Army in Korea during the Korean War. Subsequently he continued his education graduating from Hofstra College, acquiring his master's degree from The University of Rochester and earning a PhD in geology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Peter served as director of Environmental Management for the NYS Office of Parks and Recreation from 1974, until his retirement in 1991. He later worked as a self-employed computer consultant. Peter was a member of St. Basil's Russian Orthodox Church in Maplewood, NY. His wide-ranging interests included fly fishing, ham radio and photography. In his retirement years he enjoyed traveling the world with his wife Natalia. Together they explored the Amazon, Machu Picchu, Iceland, New Zealand, China, the Alps, The Galapagos, Greece, Italy and France, as well has many interesting places in North America, all of which he documented with his brilliant photographs. When not travelling, he enjoyed spending time with friends and family at his cabin in the Adirondacks. He is survived by his loving wife, Natalia Prajmovsky Buttner; his devoted sons, Steven Buttner (Kim Moody) of Poland, ME and Gregory Buttner (Darlene) of Colonie, NY; his cherished grandchildren, Jake Buttner Moody, Johanna Buttner Moody, Stephen Gregory Buttner and Nicole Elizabeth Buttner; his dear sisters, Joan Buttner of Old Brookville, NY and Margret Wickterman of East Falmouth, MA; as well as several nephews and a niece. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Buttner of Oceanside, NY. Services will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. from Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet, NY and at 11 a.m. in St. Basil's Russian Orthodox Church in Maplewood, NY. Interment, with military honors, will follow in the Gerald B.H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with Peter's family on Thursday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home during which time the Panikhida service will be held at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a donation in Peter's memory may contribute to St. Basil's Russian Orthodox Church or to the Alzheimer's Association, 4 Pine West Plaza, Building 4, Suite 405, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205-5515.