Albert Buffington, 86, of Stockton, California, passed away on July 24, 2010.  Al was born in Birmingham, Alabama.

Al graduated from Stanford University in 1947 with a B.A. in economics and Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1949 with an M.B.A. in industrial management.  He was a First Lieutenant and served as a navigator in the U.S. Army Air Force in the Pacific area.  In 1951, he was recalled to serve in the Korean conflict in the Strategic Air Command.

Al moved his family to Stockton in 1956 to work as the Director of Plant Operations at the new Diamond Walnut Growers plant.  He served as President and General Manager for 20 years.  In 1974, as Diamond and Sunsweet banded together to form Diamond/Sunsweet, he became CEO of the separate cooperatives with the headquarters being established in Stockton.  He retired in June 1979 at the age of 55.  Al loved spending time with his family. He also enjoyed reading, golfing, his pets, and working around the house with his tools.

Survivors include his brother, Lee Buffington (SPHS '47); daughters, Dale Geweke (Larry) and Lynn Rishwain (George); son, Lee Buffington (Betchen Wolf); seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by three stepsons, Mike Pahl (Susie), Robert Pahl (Linda); Patrick Pahl (Teresa); and eight step-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his first wife of 49 years, Ruth Maxwell Buffington (SPHS '42) in 1994, and his second wife, Bernice Pahl Buffington in 2005.

The Stockton Record, August 6, 2010