Donald George Buchholz

Colonel Donald Buchholz passed away peacefully with his wife, Lila, and daughter Leslie by his side on November 18, 2015. He was the first son born to Emma Stuenkel and Edwin Buchholz of Elmhurst, Il on November 5, 1923. He graduated from York County High School and began military service as an E-1 enlisted man in 1942. Like so many of his generation, he answered America’s call to arms while still a teenager. He left his Elmhurst, IL farm, joined the Army Air Corps, and by war’s end was aligning his B-24 Liberator’s Norden bombsight on enemy targets from western Europe’s hostile skies. After WWII ended, he continued serving his country with the Strategic Air Command. He became triple rated as a bombardier, navigator, and radar navigator as SAC modernized its bomber force during the Cold War’s early years. In all, Colonel Buchholz recorded over 4,000 flying hours in B-24’s, B-29’s, B-50’s, B-36’s and his favorite airframe, the B-47. During his storied career, he served with the 9th Bomb Wing and was a faculty member and cadet instructor at the U. S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO. He transitioned into missile operations at Lowry Air Force Base, CO and later joined the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff at Offutt Air Force Base, NE. After serving on the staff of the Secretary of Defense, he completed his military career in 1974, retiring to Tucson, AZ after almost 32 years in the U. S. Air Force. He spent his remaining working years as a successful real estate agent in Tucson and enjoying the sport of golf.

Don Buchholz was one of this nation's truly ‘exceptional’ leaders. Raised during the Depression, he understood want and he knew what it meant to sacrifice oneself for the greater good. The men and women who served under him often spoke of his strength, his wisdom, and decisive leadership. He would not ask others to do something he was unwilling to do himself. He was a man who others trusted with their lives and he held that trust above all else.

Buck’s only personal love was Lila. Their marriage produced four children and lasted almost 70 years. Besides Lila and daughter Leslie, he is survived by another daughter, Debie, and one son, David, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. But his loss leaves a void which cannot be filled on this earth. Buck is now with his parents, his two brothers, two sisters, and a son, along with many flying buddies and fellow golfers who passed before him. He has been welcomed with open arms by his Lord and Savior. These words from Mathew 25:21 summarize Buck’s earthly service: “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Colonel Buchholz will be interred, with military honors, at the U. S. Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, CO. Memorial service details are incomplete at this time.