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Francis M. Imboden IV (1945 - 2013)
Francis Marion "Buzz" Imboden IV, 67, of Belleville, Ill., born Monday, Nov. 19, 1945, in St. Louis, Mo., died Monday, April 29, 2013.
Buzz worked as a fisheries biologist for the Illinois Department of Conservation for 15 years. He earned his B.S. degree in Biology from SIU-E in 1971 and was awarded his M.S. degree in Zoology from SIU-C in 1975. He was a United States Army veteran serving in the Vietnam War.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Marion, III and Ann, nee Brandenburger, Imboden.
Surviving are his son, Michael C. (Nicholle) Imboden of Saint Louis, Mo.; brother, William J. Imboden of West Palm Beach, Fla.; sister, Elizabeth Imboden of Big Canoe, Ga.; and grandchildren, Dane Imboden, Amber Imboden.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.kurrusfh.com.
Funeral: Graveside services will be held at 9:15 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2013, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. By his request cremation was held.
KURRUS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.
Published in Belleville News-Democrat on May 2, 2013
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Terry Yocks
Well, Buzzy, first Les Lund and now you. It's comforting to know that you guys will be raising hell together again somewhere. Miss you both!
Terry
Gerald Nieman
Buzz and Les, good men both, Buzz Garyowen pal tell the other guys we'll get there too. We'll raise a glass for both of you. Miss you now and forever.
Jerry Nieman
Randee Marshall (Rittmeyer)
BUZZY, plain and simple. Does that not say it all! What a guy, friendly, athletic, I would not say sweet but how about caring, quick to laugh and just as quick to make you laugh. I have so many memories of Buzz. Ice skating on Stolberg's Lake in the winter, swimming in the summer, school dances in the gym, junior high home room antics and all the exciting basketball and football games he gave us in junior high and high school. He had a little bit of the devil in him but you had to love it.
Just know that he is at peace and will be sorely missed.
randee
Barb Saul (Carrico)
Buzz was a grade school classmate of mine from Roosevelt. His family lived around Stolberg's lake and my family lived near there so I would see him often either walking to or from school. We didn't have bus service back then. Buzzy liked to laugh and have fun. He was always upbeat with a likeable personality. He will be missed.
Thomas Frank
I'm so happy that Buzz crashed our 40th Reunion summer 2003, but so sad too. I noticed how his hands were quivering. I couldn't help but think it was fm. Agent Orange &/or PTSD. I shoke his hand that night telling him I do that with all in-country V. N. vets since perhaps he was the one to go there instead of me. (I got sent to Germany after being drafted on 2 Oct l967). Thanks again for your service to our beloved country.
James Zaring
Buzz Imboden was a Champion on the football field where he earned three varsity letters and a Hero on the battle field with the Air Mobile Division commonly known as the 1st Air Cav. There base of operations was in the Central Highlands of Vietman, known as An Khe. They faught the battle hardened North Vietnam Army in places such as Pleiku and the Ia Drang Valley. Later the Ia Drang Valley would become known as the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Buzz was in an elite fighting group who never left anyone behind. The emotional stress of combat can now be discribed as "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder". This illness can only be treated with medication and counsultation, but it will never go away. What Buzz and other Veteran's are experiencing is the cost of war placed on us by our Congressional Representatives and Senatorial Representatives.
AS I stated before Buzz was a Hero and when he came to the 40th reunion, he was referred to as crashing in or very disruptive. Maybe just maybe he was trying to find that place in time where he could relate to good times before the war took the first casualty......innocence.
When Buzz,our hero, returned home to his country, he was not greated with people waiving the American Flag, or an Honor Guard. No, normally Buzz and other Vets would be greated with people yelling expletives and somtimes worse.
Buzz you can lay down and close your eyes and rest in peace because the nightmares are gone and your job is done.
Michael Hornacek
Thanks for serving, I salute and RIP Buzz!