Celebrating the life of
Wendell W. Buck Buckhaults
February 06, 1926 - March 27, 2011
Wendell Wallace Buckhaults, M.D.
February 6, 1926 to March 27, 2011
SAVANNAH – Wendell Wallace Buckhaults, M.D. died Sunday, March 27, 2011 in Savannah, Georgia.
Dr. Buckhaults was born in 1926 to Mr. and Mrs. Joe V. Buckhaults in Perryton, Texas.
He graduated from Perryton High School in 1942, valedictorian of his class. He attended the University of Texas Pre-Med 1942-1944, Tulane University School of Medicine 1944-1948, Shreveport Charity Hospital internship1948-1949, U.S. Naval Hospital, Camp Lejeune, NC, and Grady Hospital residency on Ophthalmology 1950-1953. He was Board Certified in Ophthalmology in 1953 and following that he started to practice Ophthalmology in Savannah, GA until 1985 when he retired.
He was a Past President of the Medical and Dental Staff at Candler Hospital, Past Chairman of the EENT Department, a member of the Candler Hospital Building Committee 1965-1980 and a member of the Candler Hospital Board 1976-1994. Other positions at Candler were past Chairman Joint Conference Committee, Past Chairman Strategic Planning Committee, and Past Chairman Accrediting Committee and Bioethics Committee.
He was a Fellow of American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Life Fellow of American Academy of Ophthalmology, Fellow American Society of Geriatrics, member of the Medical Association of Georgia, member of the American Medical Association, member of the International Congress of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, member of the Low Vision Society, and a member of the Georgia Society for the Prevention of Blindness.
He was a Member and Past Commodore of the Savannah Yacht Club, Charter Member and Past President of the Savannah Sport Fishing Club, and Charter Member and Past President of the German Heritage Society. He was a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 10-2 from 1956 to present, Past Flotilla Commander and Past Division Captain.
On moving to The Marshes of Skidaway in 2006 he found there was a need for someone to repair computers and teach residents how to use their computers. Computers were loaned or donated and he opened a computer school at The Marshes. His motto was, "Keep learning, you are never too old".
He was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Isle of Hope, and was Senior Warden in 1988 at St. Francis of the Islands Episcopal Church.
He is survived by his loving wife, Catherine Kitten Heap Buckhaults; two sons, Robert W. Buckhaults and his wife Kathy of Newport, R.I. and Joe Wallace Buckhaults and his wife Debbie of New Orleans, LA; and four grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Isle of Hope, on Saturday, April 2, 2011, at 2:00 p.m.
The family will receive friends following the service in the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2 St. Thomas Ave., Savannah, GA 31406 or to a charity of your choice.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
To the Buckhaults Family, As you know, Buck was a founding and honorary member of the Savannah Sport Fishing Club. Please be sure that his memory will live on in our annual handbook, the reefs he helped establish, and the fishing records he achieved! Savannah Sport Fishing Club Board and Membership
- SSFC Board and Membership, Savannah, GA
Catherine, my thoughts & prayers are with you, Jill Hendrix
- Jill Hendrix, Savannah, GA
God Bless and support you Mrs. Buckhaults and sons in our loss. Buck was a 'competitor' of ours over at Ophthalmology Associates over the years---and what a fine, honest, competent, and friendly competior he was. I celebrate with you a life well-spent.
- clyde olson, m.d., savannah, GA
A great German Heritage Society President
- Thomas A. Davis, Savannah, GA
Dearest Catherine, I am sorry for your loss. Know that I hold you and your family in my heart/prayers. Peace/love, Phyllis
- Phyllis S. Branch Mrs. Karl W., Savannah, GA
Jon Hope my friend. I will sorely miss your smiling face. Remember when I asked you to keep a seat warm for me in case I ever came home to Savannah? Well you did and I appreciated it. How about doing the same for me in Heaven?
- George R. Asinc, Rincon, GA, GA
It was a great pleasure getting to know him and appreciate all he has done for the Savannah Sport Fishing Club and its members. He will be greatly missed.
- Chuck Stein, Savannah, GA
Dear Kitten,Joe,Robert and family, My heart goes out to you in this time of grieving. Aunt Mary Ellen and I have loved you all over the years and now Buck joins Mary Ellen in passing. Their lives continues in a new phase as does ours, hence man's immortality. Be faithful in love for Buck's wonderful legacy. Uncle Russ
- Russell Schutt, The Woodlands, TX
One day my little league coach brought me home with an eye injury and no one was home, but Dr Buckhaults had just arrived from work. I was scared to death but he calmed me down, took me back to his office, checked me out, patched me up and all ended well with no permanent damage. Years later, despite my reservations,he convinced me that my eyes were good enough to be a military pilot. He was right and after 8 years in the Air force I have flown for Delta Air Lines for 20 years. I would have never taken that leap without his advice and encouragement. To this day the smell of pipe tobacco reminds me of the kind and thoughtful man that I grew up across the street from. Mrs Buckhaults, Robert and Joe; I share your loss
- Joe Holloman, , GA
Doc: We sure are going to miss you. You have been a great friend to us since we joined the Auxiliary. And we will just have to save all the 'rigs' you helped us set up for our next fishing trip. Richard, Carl, and I will make sure we have a pole in the water for you. God Bless you Doc. You will be sorely missed by all of us. Our prayers are with your family at this time. Their loss is also our loss. It is going to be hard for us all to follow in your footsteps. RIP Doc.
- Mitchell Bush Family, Savannah, GA
A better boss I never had. All though it was for a short period of time, I will always remember Dr. W.W.B. I remember the powder puff tournament you took all of the girls at the office on. You attempted to let me 'drive' the boat but all I did was go in circles. My sympathy goes out to 'Kitten', and the boys and their families. God bless you at this time of grief.
- Lou Andruzzi, Glennville, GA
Catherine & Family, We are so sorry to hear of Buck's passing. Please know our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family at this time. Peace, Beth & Bill Wall
- Beth & Bill Wall, savannah, GA
Our sincerest condolences to the Buckhaults family from Sam and Marilu Robinson.
- Sam Robinson, New Orleans, LA
To the Buckhaults Family, As you know, Buck was a founding and honorary member of the Savannah Sport Fishing Club. Please be sure that his memory will live on in our annual handbook, the reefs he helped establish, and the fishing records he achieved! Savannah Sport Fishing Club Board and Membership
- SSFC Board and Membership, Savannah, GA
Catherine, my thoughts & prayers are with you, Jill Hendrix
- Jill Hendrix, Savannah, GA
God Bless and support you Mrs. Buckhaults and sons in our loss. Buck was a 'competitor' of ours over at Ophthalmology Associates over the years---and what a fine, honest, competent, and friendly competior he was. I celebrate with you a life well-spent.
- clyde olson, m.d., savannah, GA
A great German Heritage Society President
- Thomas A. Davis, Savannah, GA
Dearest Catherine, I am sorry for your loss. Know that I hold you and your family in my heart/prayers. Peace/love, Phyllis
- Phyllis S. Branch Mrs. Karl W., Savannah, GA
Jon Hope my friend. I will sorely miss your smiling face. Remember when I asked you to keep a seat warm for me in case I ever came home to Savannah? Well you did and I appreciated it. How about doing the same for me in Heaven?
- George R. Asinc, Rincon, GA, GA
It was a great pleasure getting to know him and appreciate all he has done for the Savannah Sport Fishing Club and its members. He will be greatly missed.
- Chuck Stein, Savannah, GA
Dear Kitten,Joe,Robert and family, My heart goes out to you in this time of grieving. Aunt Mary Ellen and I have loved you all over the years and now Buck joins Mary Ellen in passing. Their lives continues in a new phase as does ours, hence man's immortality. Be faithful in love for Buck's wonderful legacy. Uncle Russ
- Russell Schutt, The Woodlands, TX
One day my little league coach brought me home with an eye injury and no one was home, but Dr Buckhaults had just arrived from work. I was scared to death but he calmed me down, took me back to his office, checked me out, patched me up and all ended well with no permanent damage. Years later, despite my reservations,he convinced me that my eyes were good enough to be a military pilot. He was right and after 8 years in the Air force I have flown for Delta Air Lines for 20 years. I would have never taken that leap without his advice and encouragement. To this day the smell of pipe tobacco reminds me of the kind and thoughtful man that I grew up across the street from. Mrs Buckhaults, Robert and Joe; I share your loss
- Joe Holloman, , GA
Doc: We sure are going to miss you. You have been a great friend to us since we joined the Auxiliary. And we will just have to save all the 'rigs' you helped us set up for our next fishing trip. Richard, Carl, and I will make sure we have a pole in the water for you. God Bless you Doc. You will be sorely missed by all of us. Our prayers are with your family at this time. Their loss is also our loss. It is going to be hard for us all to follow in your footsteps. RIP Doc.
- Mitchell Bush Family, Savannah, GA
A better boss I never had. All though it was for a short period of time, I will always remember Dr. W.W.B. I remember the powder puff tournament you took all of the girls at the office on. You attempted to let me 'drive' the boat but all I did was go in circles. My sympathy goes out to 'Kitten', and the boys and their families. God bless you at this time of grief.
- Lou Andruzzi, Glennville, GA
Catherine & Family, We are so sorry to hear of Buck's passing. Please know our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family at this time. Peace, Beth & Bill Wall
- Beth & Bill Wall, savannah, GA
Our sincerest condolences to the Buckhaults family from Sam and Marilu Robinson.
- Sam Robinson, New Orleans, LA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
