Kenneth E Buckmaster

Kenneth E Buckmaster, 88, passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2021. He was born on June 25, 1932 in Fort Wayne, IN. He was the son of Kenneth F. and Gladys F. (Hippenhamer) Buckmaster. He attended Most Precious Blood grade school and Central Catholic. At the age of 17, he left High School and joined the U S Navy. He was assigned to the USS Hollister DD78 during the Korean War. In July, 1950, ten days after the war broke out his ship was the first to go to Korea. He was a Quarter Master, 2nd Class. He was the only one the Captain allowed to steer the ship, "Buckmaster take the Helm". In April 1953, he left the Navy and on October 3, 1953 he married Carolyn M. (Glaser). They raised six children and were married for 50 years. He worked at several jobs before joining the Fort Wayne Police Dept. on July 15, 1957. During his career as a police officer he was promoted to Sgt., Lt., Captain and Deputy Chief of Operations and then appointed Chief of Police on February 14, 1977. He retired from the FWPD in July 1980. Kenneth was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and served as President. He joined the Fort Wayne International Airport Police/Fire Dept working an additional 16 years before retiring in 1996. He loved serving his community. In 1986 Kenneth and Carolyn bought a home on Sylvan Lake/Rome City where he could enjoy fishing and having his family up for gatherings. He loved to fish, hunt, go to Casinos and attend the Komet hockey games. He was a member of St. Gaspar Catholic Church in Rome City, IN. He is survived by his son; Thomas (Jenneane) Buckmaster; daughters; Cheryl Pinney; Susan (Robert) Bowman; Mary (Mark) McCoy; Judith (Thomas) Schon and sister, Carol (Paul) Felger; 14 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn in 2004; his son, David J. Buckmaster in 2017; sister, Marlene Kill in 2019. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am, Friday, June 4, 2021 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 1515 Barthold with calling one hour prior. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 3, 2021, from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne. Burial will be in Covington Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Fort Wayne.  In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials may be made to: Cancer Services of N E Indiana, Eleos Hospice, Most Precious Blood Catholic Church or St. Gaspers Catholic Church, Rome City, IN.