Milton A. “Buzz” Wendland, 91, passed peacefully at his home in Autaugaville, Alabama, on March 11, 2023. He was preceded in death by his beloved and devoted wife of nearly 61 years, Diane. He is survived by his four children and their families: Suzie (Charles) Rhodes, Jimmy (Robin) Wendland, Margaret (Robert) Miller, and Andy (Dawn) Wendland. He was “Poppa” to 13 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren (and one on the way). He is also survived by his brother, Charles (Cheri) Wendland.
Buzz was the fourth of six children born to Milton Ludwig Wendland and Susan Taliaferro Smith Wendland. He was born on January 26, 1932 during a winter snowstorm in the farming community of Peach Grove, Kansas. Due to the intensity of the storm, neither the doctor nor the local midwives were able to come to the house, leaving his own father to deliver him. As the story goes, it was so cold that night, his dad opened the door of the old kitchen cook stove and set his new baby boy near it to keep him warm. From that day on, Buzz’s siblings teased him that he was he was only “half baked” because he was taken away from the stove too soon!
Buzz attended elementary school in the one-room schoolhouse near their farm. He went to Randolph High School, and graduated as Salutatorian of the Class of 1950. From there, he went to Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, where he earned his B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry in 1954. During his four years at college he worked in the College of Agriculture dairy barns to pay for his education. Like many guys of that era, he was enrolled in ROTC, and at his graduation, he was commissioned as a 1st Lt. in the United States Air Force. He was sent to Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX for pilot training. After earning his wings, he was given orders for Korea, but before leaving for his new duty station, he decided to take a weekend trip back to the farm in Kansas to see his folks. On the outskirts of San Antonio, he was involved in a severe head-on automobile accident which altered the trajectory of his life. He survived the wreck, but instead of piloting planes, he spent the next 14 months in the military hospital where the doctors attempted to “put him back together”. By the providential hand of God, he was transferred to Maxwell AFB in Montgomery for further surgery and rehabilitation, and it was here that he met the Southern lady who would eventually become his wife. Diane Smith from Prattville, Ala., was working in the base hospital with the American Red Cross, and in spite of the rules against “fraternizing” between patients and workers, Diane and Buzz began a sweet friendship, and as they say, “the rest was history."
Buzz married Diane in 1957 in Colorado Springs, CO. They eventually settled in the small town of Autaugaville, AL where they built their home, began to farm, and start their family. Buzz stayed busy running the farm, and becoming involved in community and professional organizations. He and Diane were both members of First Presbyterian Church in Prattville, where Buzz served as Deacon and Elder.
Over the years, Buzz diversified his businesses to include dealerships for John Deere ag equipment, and Honda and Yamaha motorcycle and ATVs. In time, these businesses expanded and he keenly kept up with their activities until his last weeks. Likewise, he was actively involved with the farm decisions until his health prevented him.
Throughout his long career, he gave generously of his time and talents to numerous organizations and groups. Buzz served as President of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, President of the Alabama 4-H Foundation, and Chairman of the Alabama Board of Agriculture and Industries. He also served as President of Autaugaville Lions Club, Autauga Quality Cotton Association, Dallas Compress, Alabama Crop Improvement Association, and was President and Board Member of the Autauga County Farmers Federation. He was also a Board Member and Trustee of the Prattville YMCA, and a member of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition. He served on the Boards of Directors of First Alabama Bank of Montgomery (now Regions Bank) and Bank of Prattville, and on the Federal Reserve Bank (Birmingham Branch). He has been a behind-the-scenes influencer in state, county and local politics. He has been honored numerous times for his leadership and contributions to Alabama agriculture, including being named “Cotton Farmer of the Year” by Cotton Farming magazine, inducted into the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame, and inducted into the Auburn University Agriculture Hall of Fame.
Even with all of these roles in various organizations, Buzz made time for the most important people in his life: his family. His children remember him as quiet and soft-spoken, yet a strong and loving servant-leader. He was a humble man, and the consummate gentleman. He was generous, thoughtful and kind, and could always find something good to compliment in each person. He was fair and honest, and believed that good character was a person’s greatest attribute. He had a strong work ethic which he modeled and taught his children, and he always expected each to do their best. He was guided by the Golden Rule, which instructs us to treat others with the same respect, dignity and grace as we would like to have extended to ourselves.
The family would like to give heartfelt thanks and appreciation to several special caregivers who faithfully dedicated themselves to the daily care for Buzz during the last ten years: Rosa Pearl Wells Howard, Sheree L. Thornton, and Virginia E. Mosely. Carol DeLoach was his loyal farm office manager and assistant who kept his farm and business affairs in order. In addition, special thanks to David Motley and Edward Wright who fabricated and improvised most of the modifications needed to enable him to stay in his own home during his physically challenging years. Finally, we would like to thank the team from Baptist Hospice who provided experienced comfort care during his last months.
The family will receive friends at a visitation on Friday, March 17th, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Prattville, Alabama. A private graveside service will be held at the Wendland Family cemetery in Autaugaville.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church (211 South Chestnut, Prattville, AL 36067), Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation (201 South Bainbridge, Montgomery, AL, 36104), or the charity of one’s choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsprattvillechapel.com for the Wendland family.