In Memory: Dr. Jerry Buening (PU DVM ’64; PhD ‘69)

October 1, 2021

Dr. Buening and Ken stand against the flatbed of the semi carrying the Continuum sculpture pieces.
Dr. Jerry Buening (PU DVM ’64), in his role as an administrator at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, joined Ken Kopf, owner of Kopf Trucking, which transported the Continuum sculpture to Purdue, for a photo at the college in Columbia, Mo., where the sculpture was available to be viewed by college faculty, staff and students and area Purdue alumni in 2000.

The Purdue family mourns the loss of Dr. Jerry Buening of Columbia, Mo., a member of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s second graduating class, who passed away Wednesday, September 22, at his home. He was 81.

A native of Greensburg, Ind., Dr. Buening enrolled in the College of Veterinary Medicine one year after it opened and earned his DVM degree in 1964. After graduating, he continued his studies at Purdue, earning his PhD degree in 1969 when he began working at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine as a faculty member in veterinary pathobiology and in later years as an administrator. During his tenure, as a loyal Purdue alumnus, he was instrumental in hosting a special event at the college in 2000 for the Continuum sculpture as the artwork was being transported on an open flat-bed trailer from the Pacific Northwest, where it was created, to Purdue University for its installation and dedication in front of Lynn Hall. As part of the trek across the country, the sculpture passed through Columbia and made a stop at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, where people were invited view the sculpture figures. Dr. Buening was Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s key contact for that event.  (Click here to view a historical article that mentions the sculpture transportation and preparations for the sculpture installation).

Dr. Buening retired from his full-time faculty position in 2002 but continued working at the college in a part-time capacity through 2005. After retirement he adopted several hobbies including weaving, woodworking and carving, tie-dying, and pottery, skills that resulted in several creations that he gave to his children and grandchildren. He also worked with Habitat for Humanity building houses for several years and was active in Toastmasters along with his wife, Carolyn. 

Dr. Buening is remembered as a very kind and loving husband, dad, and grandpa. He will be greatly missed. 

A funeral service was held Wednesday, September 29 at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia, Mo. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

Click here to view the complete obituary.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week, sincere gratitude is shared with Abby Props who is the Pathology Laboratory Supervisor in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

Student Landscape Project Benefits Animals at Purdue Veterinary Hospital

A student-led landscape redesign project has taken root at Purdue University, in the form of outdoor upgrades at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. Originally developed by Mary Schultz, a graduating senior in the College of Agriculture’s Horticulture and Landscape Architecture program, the project reimagined outdoor spaces used for animal recovery, training, and enrichment. This summer, the hospital implemented one of the recommendations, which involved replacing natural turf in an outdoor dog run with a new synthetic material.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Welcomes New Students

As the heat and long days of summer subsided and the start of a new school year approached, the sense of excitement and new beginnings pervaded Lynn Hall over the last couple of weeks with the arrival of Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s new DVM and Veterinary Technology students. The DVM students in the Class of 2029 participated in a week-long onboarding program that started Monday, August 18, while the Veterinary Technology students in the first and second years of the program were welcomed with an Ice Cream Social and orientation program at the start of the fall semester.

Approaching Purdue Veterinary Conference Mixes CE and Celebration in September

The start of a new academic year signals the approach of the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference and the last chance to get an early-bird discount on registration. The conference is scheduled for September 16-20 on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, and features a variety of specialized tracks as well as special events. Early bird registration ends September 1, and late fees will apply as of September 2.

Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine Names New Senior Director of Admissions and Student Success

A key Purdue Veterinary Medicine staff member who has played a vital role in admissions and recruitment will now serve as the new senior director of admissions and student success. Lori Stout has been promoted to the position and Dean Bret Marsh announced the appointment Tuesday, August 26.

Lecture Hall Murals by Acclaimed Artist Continue to Inspire Lynn Hall Visitors

Two murals by artist Harry Boone have been part of Lynn Hall’s large lecture hall for more than 20 years. Commissioned in 1998, the works continue to leave a lasting impression, and Boone recently returned to campus to see them again.