The Dryfoose Legacy
by Linda Hamblin
Preceded in death by her husband Earl "Buz" Dryfoose, upon her death in August 2022 Georgia Dryfoose donated a generous amount in her will to the educational fund of Old Antarctic Society Association. This endowment will allow us to award scholarships in their names to sponsored individuals for several years.
Georgia, as a former elementary teacher, understood the need for education. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Her first year of teaching kindergarten, Georgia won the Cincinnati teacher of the year award. Five years later she met her future husband, Earl “Buz” Dryfoose. They married the following year. The couple moved to Indiana, and Georgia continued her teaching career. During her time as a teacher, she taught many students in the county, giving them a good start in the world of learning. Georgia and Buz were married for 46 years before Buz’s death in 2016. On her OAEA application she stated, “My interest is that of supporting my husband's memories, encouraging the growth of the OAEA, and expanding our connections with old and dear friends-while forming new friendships as Antarctic experiences are shared.” Georgia travelled often with Buz to reunions for his naval career. With her endowment to the scholarship fund she is supporting her husband’s memories.
Buz Dryfoose had an early love of flying. After graduating from high school, he joined the US Navy. A special plan to provide the Navy with an additional source for officers enabled Buz to become a Flying Midshipman upon finishing his college and flight training requirements. He spent 22 years as a Naval aviator. He was the first Naval Officer to serve five consecutive seasons flying summer support for the National Science Foundation in Antarctica. He also was the first Navy pilot qualified in a C-130 and has a mountain named in his honor on the Antarctic continent. Buz was very active in Boy Scouts, reaching the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 14 and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. He was trained as a classical pianist. He was victorious in yearly competitions in Springfield, IL and won the honor of playing a Steinway piano in the governor’s mansion each year. Buz Dryfoose was a founding member of Old Antarctic Explorers Association and served as a member of the Board of Directors.
If you’d like to learn more about these special people their obituaries are:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-in/georgia-dryfoose-10910592
