Glen W Buckendorf

After singing a song to his wife, Glen W. Buckendorf passed away Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, at his home. He was 82 years old. Glen was born in Buhl, Idaho, to Glen E. and Jennie (Wilson) Buckendorf on June 19, 1929. He was raised in Buhl and graduated from high school in 1947. Glen then attended Northwest Christian College at Eugene, Ore. There he met the love of his life, Annette Fuller. They eloped and were married in Kelso, Wash., on June 11, 1948. Glen and Annette returned to Buhl, where he worked for his father at Buckendorf Tire Service and raised six children. The family also had a small dairy operation, which kept their five sons and one daughter busy before and after school for many years. In 1981, Glen graduated from Idaho State University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. He taught third-grade students for 10½ years at the Jerome School District. Glen and Annette were both active in the Buhl First Christian Church and the Community Bible Church in Filer. Over the years, Glen developed an avid interest in chess and basketball. He was tutored in chess by Mel Schubert in Twin Falls as early as 1946. Glen went on to be a 10-time Idaho State Chess Champion between 1951 and 2001. He also won a large cash prize at a 1988 U.S. Open Chess Tournament. Glen loved basketball and played it in high school, college and in "outlaw" tournaments for several years. He was an ardent fan of the Boston Celtics and the BSU Broncos football teams. Glen also loved to watch his children play sports. Glen is survived by his wife, Annette Buckendorf of Buhl; their children and spouses, Bob (Jolene) Buckendorf of Beaverton, Ore., Bill (Madeline) Buckendorf of Caldwell, Barry (Mary) Buckendorf of Tooele, Utah, Betty (George) Wyant of Shoshone, Ben (Paula) Buckendorf of Boise and Bart (Ronda) Buckendorf of Nampa; 16 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Doris (Warren) Knape of Whittier, Calif. Glen was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Arnold Buckendorf; and daughter-in-law, Patricia Buckendorf. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at the First Christian Church in Buhl. A graveside service will follow at Buhl's West End Cemetery.