Lyman E. “Gene” Buzard, Air Force Brig. Gen. (retired) passed away on May 19, 2008 after a long illness.

He was born in Seattle in 1929, graduated from Seattle Preparatory High School in 1947 and then attended Seattle University and the University of Washington.

Gen. Buzard received a bachelor of science degree from Troy State University, Ala., in 1974, and at the same time also graduated from the Air War College.

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1951. He later entered the Aviation Cadet Program and received his silver pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant in 1953.

His first assignment was to the 44th Bomb Wing, where he flew the KC97 (tanker).

During the general’s 28 years of active duty in the Air Force, he became a leader in the training and operations of air refueling as a lead instructor and standardization instructor pilot. He flew in many roles, which included flying the “Looking Glass,” the airborne command and control of the Strategic Air Command’s Retaliatory Force. He was also the crew commander of the command crew for General Bruce K. Holloway, Commander of the Strategic Air Command.

Gen. Buzard went on to be the Wing Commander of the 305th Air Refueling Wing in Indiana, Commander of the 376th Strategic Wing in Okinawa, Japan and the 43rd Strategic Wing in Guam.

Gen. Buzard’s final assignment was as Commander of the 19th Air Division, Strategic Air Command, at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas.

After his retirement from the Air Force, Gen. Buzard settled in his childhood summer home at Beverly Beach on Whidbey Island, where he was a long time member of St. Hubert Parish in Langley, and met his beloved wife of 19 years, Naomi. He was in business as co-owner of Buzz’s Wharf restaurant at Bush Point, and Radio Shack in Freeland.

Gene leaves his wife, Naomi; sister Mary Coupe; brothers Ron and Cliff Buzard; and many, many friends from his Air Force days and in the greater Seattle area.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 22 at St. Hubert Catholic Church, Langley.