Sandburg plants tree in honor of alumnus, fallen Carthage firefighter

 Doug Buckert's father Gene, sister Carla and mother Joyce attended a tree dedication in memory of Buckert at the Carthage campus on Sept. 9on what would have been Buckert’s 51st birthday. Buckert, a Sandburg alumnus and member of the Carthage Fire Department, was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call near Burnside on Oct. 2, 1997.

GALESBURG — Sandburg recently dedicated a tree on its Carthage campus in memory of an alumnus and fallen first responder.

A purple prince flowering crabapple tree was planted in honor of Doug Buckert, a volunteer member of the Carthage Fire Department who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call near Burnside on Oct. 2, 1997. 

Buckert graduated from Sandburg in 1995 with an associate degree, and he earned another degree from Sandburg in 1997 as part of the college’s first mortuary science program graduating class.

Doug's parents, Gene and Joyce Buckert, along with his sister, Carla, were present for the tree dedication ceremony, which took place Sept. 9 on what would have been Buckert’s 51st birthday.

The Buckert family also continues to honor Doug’s memory through a Sandburg Foundation scholarship in his name. The Walter Douglas "Doug" Buckert Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a second- year mortuary science student. The recipient must demonstrate qualities of leadership and civic-mindedness both in their community and the classroom and exemplify the qualities of servant leadership