Skip to main content
College of Veterinary Medicine

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” for Craig Weiderhaft – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we want to give a big “high five” to Craig Weiderhaft who is a phone communications and front desk representative at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

Dogs across the Midwest find customized care at the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center

Studying canine cancer — including personalizing treatments, honing protocols and exploring new drugs, all of which will shed light on human cancer care — is the focus of veterinary researchers at a specialized center at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Faculty and staff contributions move Purdue Veterinary Medicine toward goal for Purdue United Way Campaign

With the 2026 Purdue United Way Campaign in full swing, Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff participation is advancing the college toward its campaign support goal. At the halfway point of the campaign, figures show the college is nearly halfway to its goal of raising $20,000.

In Memory – Dr. Raymond E. Plue (PU DVM ’68)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Raymond E. Plue, who was a generous, fun-loving, adventuresome and larger-than-life alumnus. Dr. Plue passed away Saturday, October 10, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri. He was 81.

Annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog grows in participation and dollars raised

The numbers are in from the 2026 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog and they paint a beautiful picture of a very successful event, both in terms of the number of human and canine participants and the funds raised for Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Priority 4 Paws shelter medicine program. Beautiful weather and the enthusiasm of both dogs and runners contributed to the fun and excitement of the annual 5K run/walk, which generated numerous fun photo ops and raised significant funds for a good cause.