Spencer Ariss Buckner Jr.

Spencer Ariss Buckner, Jr. (fondly referred to as Spence or Bucky) was 80 years old when he passed away peacefully in his sleep, in Woodland Park, Colorado. He grew up in Northern Virginia where he excelled at everything he set his mind to, whether that was sports (basketball, baseball), or his education. Due to his hard work and athletic ability, he received a full basketball scholarship to Duke University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He later earned his Master of Science from Yale University in Physics and shortly thereafter, his PhD in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania.

He worked for a variety of defense and contracting companies utilizing his brilliant mathematical skills in missile defense. He was truly a “rocket scientist.” He lived in a variety of locations - Mountain View, California; Dallas, Texas - until he settled and fell in love with the mountainous terrain of Colorado Springs.

As a long time member of the Colorado Mountain Club and the Schussbaumer Ski Club, Spencer spent summers climbing 14'ers in Colorado and winters skiing in Breckenridge.  In recent years, he was often found hiking the trails around Woodland Park such as Lovell Gulch and Catamount Open Space. No mountain was too far-reaching of a challenge to him. He was a true nature lover at heart.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Spencer and Gertrude Buckner and is survived by his brother, Arthur (Denise) Buckner, his niece Deanna (Omar) Marquez, his great nephew and numerous cousins. They will always remember his kindness, quietness, determination, and brilliance.

A small service will occur on Saturday, June 3rd at 11:00am Mountain Memorial Funeral Home (51 Country Road 5, Divide, CO 80814) followed by a burial at Woodland Park Cemetery, Colorado. In the afternoon friends and family are welcome to gather and hike together to one of his favorite hiking locations in honor of him. 

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