Obituary of Walter H. Buckthal

Owego, New York: Walter H. “Pete” Buckthal, 97, passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2015. Pete was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Mary Emma Buckthal; three children, Gail Alice, Carl David and Dale Buckthal. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Helen Buckthal, Sayre, PA; daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Tommy Kristersson, Marathon,NY; daughter-in-law, Elaine Vasilow Buckthal, Tioga Center; three granddaughters and their husbands, Karen and Jeff Pinco, Sarah and David Riddle, Emma Buckthal; four great-grandchildren; Walter was born in Freelandville, IN. As a teenager, he wired the Buckthal home in Freelandville under the Rural Electrification Act and it passed inspection the very first time. He graduated from high school in 1936, then Purdue University with a BSEE in 1941. He married his wife, Mary Emma Scull on June 18, 1941. Pete repaired IBM machines in Indiana and Ohio during WWII and moved to New York afterwards to be employed with IBM for 41 years. He was a failure analyst for systems developed for the first computers and then later guidance systems for Mercury, Saturn and Apollo programs, working on machines based on relays, later tubes and then transistors. Mr. Buckthal was the proud recipient of the DeVinci Award. After retirement he managed the Tioga Country Club in it’s start up years where he and Mary enjoyed fellow golfing companions. Pete was also a member of the Owego Elks Lodge. His favorite quote was “There are just some things about electricity you have to know.” Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Union Church, 111 Temple Street, Owego with the Rev. Parrish Bridges, officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Memorial contributions may be made in Walter H. “Pete” Buckthal’s memory to Meals On Wheels – Tioga County, 9 Sheldon Guiles Blvd., Owego, NY 13827 or the Tioga County Rural Ministry, 425 North Ave., Owego, NY 13827. Condolences may be made to the Buckthal Family at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com.