Carl Buckland arrived in Los Alamos on August 24, 1945. He immediately became interested in skiing and his first contribution was to help "blow out stumps at Sawyer's Hill," he said. He helped repair the first lodge, an old building that had been hauled to Pajarito Mountain, assisted in the construction of a tow shack, hauled gasoline to the tows, and helped build a more permanent lodge.

Carl met Maria Ella "MaryElla" Lopez in Los Alamos. They were married on August 10, 1946, in Las Vegas, NM. Their four children, Carl, David, Anne, and Nancy, grew up loving to ski the slopes at Pajarito Mountain.

Carl repaired toys to be distributed to children in Northern New Mexico at Christmas and helped with fundraising for Sombrillo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He also transported residents to medical appointments through the HELP program. A past chairman of the Immaculate Heart of Mary's Christian Concern Committee, Carl conducted the rosary for 25 years.

Additional biographical material can be found in the Los Alamos Monitor of April 11, 2004.

Written by Karen Nilsson Brandt, copyright ©