Walter (Buddy) Stenback

Walter (Buddy) Alexander Stenback, Jr.

Walter (affectionately known as Buddy) Stenback, died Sunday July 20, 2025 at Adventist Health Hospital in Fort Bragg. Born on June 29, 1930, in Fort Bragg (in what is now the Gray Whale Inn) to Mamie and Walter Stenback. He was 95.

He spent most of his life in Comptche attending grades 1-8 in Comptche and graduating from Mendocino High School class of 1949. After graduating high school he attended some college in Santa Rosa JC before going to work in the local mills and in the woods. He retired after many years working as a land surveyor.

He saw many changes in Comptche, the place he loved the most. From the time of his birth until well into his twenties he had to contend with outhouses, kerosene lamps and milking cows morning and night. With the advent of electricity came indoor plumbing, soon after that the roads were paved and much later individual residential telephone lines and wonder of wonder, satellite television.

He is survived by is daughter Shelley Maija Abaya of Ocean View Hawaii, grandchildren Alex Stenback, Leilani, Makana, Kaneala Abaya, and 12 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his son Alan Stenback.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm August 23, 2025 at the Comptche Fire House Park 8491 Flynn Creek Rd. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to the Comptche Fire Department P.O Box 164 or the Comptche Community Hall P.O. Box 346 Comptche CA 95427