John Day Buckstaff

John Day Buckstaff, Jr., 81, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in the Town of Vinland, on Lake Winnebago, early Thursday, August 18, 2011. He was born January 3, 1930, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the second child of John D. Buckstaff, Sr., and Barbara Thompson Buckstaff,.John graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1948, and went on to Purdue University, earning a BS in Engineering and Industrial Management in 1953. After graduating, he worked as a Jet Propulsion Engineer for Chance Vought Aircraft Company in Dallas, Texas. There he was instrumental in the design of Regulus II, a supersonic winged cruise missile armed with a nuclear warhead for launch from surface ships and submarines of the United States Navy. The airframe followed contemporary aircraft construction with weight savings from the use of advanced materials and short air born life of the missile. The fuselage was tubular, tapering to a point at the nose, housing guidance equipment, warhead and systems equipment. And engine, which was fed with air through a distinctive wedge shaped intake under the center fuselage. The design included swept wings, a swept fin at the top of the fuselage, augmented by a large ventral fin at the extreme rear of the fuselage.John returned to Oshkosh in 1957, when his father fell ill, working at the Buckstaff Company, a manufacturer of high quality American made wood furniture used in public and private institutions around the world. John soon became President of the Company, working there until it was sold in 2007.The Buckstaff Company has been a fixture in Oshkosh for over 160 years. John was one of the true small business leaders in the State, proud of his familys role in supporting a local labor force of fine craftsmen and personnel. He had a great fondness for all of the employees at the Buckstaff Company, enjoying the camaraderie of his large family there. Playing with the Companys league football team was a favorite hobby which he took seriously, making up play cards and having strategy meetings. Sailing was in his blood. It was inevitable that he would inherit this passion from his father, a yachtsman of international fame. For many years John plied the local waters manning the headsails on an A-scow, the fastest of racing boats. Although no longer actively yachting, his interest remained in the design and engineering of boats.John was also an avid military aviation buff. He could identify any plane and give a long account of its history, battles, and faults. Although he didnt serve in the military, John gave the highest respect to War Veterans, engaging them in stories of their experiences. They were always impressed with his precise knowledge of events.Over the years, John had been instrumental in local and state politics, particularly in how policy impacted the business climate of the state, and the families of those employed at those businesses.So much so that in 1986, he engaged in a campaign called B.O.W/W.O.W, which stood for Businessmen of Wisconsin Words of Warning, running a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal warning of the unhealthy business climate in the state. While the ads were controversial, those efforts helped elect Tommy Thompson as Governor.More recently, John ran as a protest candidate in the Democratic Primary for the 18th State Senate seat, a closely monitored national event. Entering late, and not spending a penny, he won 32 % of the vote, illustrating politically and personally how popular he was in the community. His name alone conferred trust and stability. People in general felt a security in his presence.John truly walked this earth with an aura of invincibility and was indeed as durable as the furniture his familys company manufactured: The Quality Kind.Survivors include his two daughters Kirsten Day Buckstaff (Roger Miller) of Oshkosh, and Kara Cameron Buckstaff Moore (Thaddeus); two grandchildren, Owen and Thaddeus, of Cary, North Carolina; brother Daniel Clyde Buckstaff (Marcia) of Paradise Valley AZ and Green Lake WI; a niece and nephew; mother in law, Laura Radtke, Oshkosh WI; special cousin Betty Buckstaff Paterson, Oshkosh; and former wife of 40 years, Karen Radtke Buckstaff; numerous cousins and many friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, John Buckstaff, Sr., and Barbara Thompson Buckstaff, and sister Madelyn D. Buckstaff.The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August, 23, 2011 at 3:00 PM at Trinity Episcopal Church (203 Algoma Blvd) with Rev. Tom Haverly officiating. Family and friends may visit at the Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home (Westside) on Monday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and at the church on Tuesday from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Burial will be in Ellenwood Cemetery.

Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home - Westside



100 Lake Pointe Drive
Oshkosh
WI
54904

Monday, August 22, 2011
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM



Trinity Episcopal Church



311 Division Street
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Tuesday, August 23, 2011
3:00 PM



Ellenwood cemetery



Washburn and 20th Ave
Oshkosh
WI
54904