Joseph A. Buda MD

BUDA—Joseph Anthony, MD of Englewood, NJ died on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at the age of 91. Dr. Buda was a Professor Emeritus of Clinical Surgery and Special Lecturer at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center where he was revered for his integrity both as clinician and mentor. He was born on August 10, 1929 in Fort Lee, NJ to Vincenzo and Sadie Buda. He grew up in Fort Lee with his brother Vincent (d. 2011) and his sister Beatrice Ann. He graduated from Fort Lee High School in 1947. He attended Columbia University where he was elected Phi Beta Kappa and was awarded the Alumni Prize in 1951. He continued to Cornell University Medical School and completed his surgical internship at the Presbyterian Hospital at the Columbia University Medical Center in 1956. He spent the following three years as a Captain in the United States Air Force as a Flight Surgeon, stationed at Dreux Air Base in France. Upon his return, he completed his residency in surgery at The Presbyterian Hospital at the Columbia University Medical Center. He began his surgical career at The Francis Delafield Hospital and The Presbyterian Hospital. A highlight of his early years was performing the first renal transplant carried out at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in 1969. He served on the Board of Trustees at the Presbyterian Medical Center from 1977-79 and 1986-89. His career as a general and vascular surgeon spanned more than four decades. Dr. Buda began his teaching career as an Instructor of Surgery at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1965. He was appointed Clinical Professor Emeritus of Surgery in 1994 and was one of the founding members of EPIC [Emeritus Professors in Columbia] in 2000. Through his life, he earned several honors, including the Lambert Traveling Fellowship from the College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University in 1964; “Citizen of the Year” from UNICO National in 1978; appointment to the Board of Trustees of The Dwight-Englewood School, 1980-84; membership of Sigma Xi [Scientific Honorary Society, Kappa Chapter of Columbia University] in 1991; and The Society of Practitioner’s “Practitioner of the Year” in 1999. Outside of the hospital, Joseph Buda enjoyed a full life with his family and friends. When he was not enjoying a good book or working in the garden, he travelled the world with his wife, Carolyn. His standing weekend tennis and paddle games at The Englewood Field Club were often followed by a trip to Manhattan to enjoy museum exhibits and the opera. A longtime resident of Englewood, NJ, Dr. Buda is predeceased by his beloved wife of 52 years, Carolyn. He is survived by his children, Joseph A. Buda, Jr. of River Vale [Alina], Adrienne Anderson of Englewood [Christopher] and his grandchildren, Joseph A. Buda III, Katherine Anderson and Amelia Anderson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Columbia College’s Financial Aid, Allocation #07161, c/o Columbia University – Gift Systems, P.O. Box 1523, New York, NY 10008. https://college.givenow.columbia.edu/?ac=CITR#