Forest W. Buchanan honored in Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM -- The birthplace and village where he lived out his waning years, Amsterdam, paid tribute to the teacher, principal, author, naturalist, founder of the Jefferson County Nature Tour, Audubon Club member, scientist, violinist, explorer and all-around sharer of knowledge on wildlife and plants, Forest Wendell Buchanan, Saturday at the Amsterdam Park.

Mike Stone said he was fascinated about the man he thought knew the "moon and stars" about nature, said that he knew him when he was a young man and lived within walking distance. He was fascinated about all Buchanan knew about plants, animals, birds and the great outdoors.

Stone works at TIMET, but in his spare time he gathered together a committee to hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser earlier in the year. This helped fund a pictorial and historic marker that the tells the history of the well-known resident. And from those funds came the idea to obtain a marker idea. Others from the committee who were present at Saturday's dedication at the Amsterdam Park were Thomas Stone, Virginia Glenn, Pat Wilkins and Paul Bright, his son-in-law.

There were many there who had stories to tell of the gentleman who never forgot his roots. Stone said Bud Wilkinson once called the Amsterdam postmaster to tell that there was a dead man in his back yard. It was Buchanan, who was lying on the ground examining a plan.

Ray Novotny, a naturalist, described how he had adopted Forest as his grandfather when he was in school at Kent State University.

"I loved coming to 'Buchanan Country' and kept up a friendship for 20 years. I intend to write a book about the great man now," he said.

Village Mayor Jim Phillips said when he was 10, he knocked on the door at the Buchanan home to sell a school fundraiser product. When the door was opened, he stared at a stuffed zebra in the living room.

"Forest invited me in and showed off his butterfly, bird and animal collections. I was there for four hours and my mother was frantic because she did not know where I could be.

Chuck McClougherty, a former conservationist at the University of Mount Union, remembered Forest and some of his adventures and studies.

Sherry Prisbylla, a neighbor and friend, said that she brought meals to Buchanan in his older years and they would talk for long periods. Al Arabia spoke about making the naturalist's acquaintance and he thought him to be very humble.

Pat Wilkinson, a committee member, described her enjoyment in working on the committee for the marker, adding Buchanan had given the village great recognition.

His relatives were there, including his son-in-law, Dan Bright; granddaughter, Autumn Day; grandson, Damon Stout; and granddaughter, Trista Peterman.

The bottom of the Buchanan marker has the film title "How Green Was My Valley," something Buchanan commented about many times.