Dr. George Buzyna was born in the village of Kovel, Poland (current day Ukraine), April 25, 1938. He passed peacefully with family by his side on Monday, April 6, 2026.

A devout Orthodox Christian, George’s life was marked by meaningful timing. He was born the day after Easter and passed during Holy Week, just six days before Orthodox Easter. He also departed this life exactly six years and one day after his younger brother. His family believes this was no coincidence.

George’s early life was shaped by extraordinary hardship and resilience. In March 1944, at just 6 years old, he fled war-torn Europe with his family. By 1945 as World War II ended, they arrived safely at a Displaced Persons camp in Ingoldstadt, Germany, where they lived for 5 years. In 1950, at the age of 12, George immigrated to the United States with his family, eventually settling in Chicago, Illinois.

Despite not knowing English, he quickly adapted and excelled academically. He graduated from Lane Technical High School in 1956 and went on to earn his Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering (1960) and his Masters of Science in Gas Engineering (1962) from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He later earned his PhD in Engineering and Applied Science specializing in Physical Gas Dynamics from Yale University. George continued his academic pursuits with post doctoral work in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics also from Yale University (1966-1968) and participated in the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Summer Program at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in 1966.

While at Yale, George met the love of his life, Helen Frisk, at a lecture given by Russian Orthodox Priest Father Alexander Schmemann. They soon married and began a life together that would span 60 years.

In 1969, George began his career as a Research Scientist at the Florida State University Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute. He later played a key role in the establishment of the FSU/FAMU College of Engineering in 1986. Over the years, he served as Associate Chairman of the Mechanical Engineering Department and made a lasting impact as a professor. George took his role seriously and cared deeply for his students, investing in their success both academically and personally. He retired after a distinguished career in academia.

George and Helen shared a deep love of travel. Their adventures began in 1967 with the purchase of a brand new 1968 navy Volkswagen Beetle in Wolfsburg, Germany for $1200 which they drove across Europe for about one month. As their family grew, their travels continued closer to home, often visiting relatives in Chicago and upstate New York. In retirement their travels expanded around the glove. They visited more than 75 countries and set foot on 6 continents, even glimpsing Antarctica from the deck of their cruise ship.

Helen often dreamed up bold and far-reaching travel plans, and George always embraced them, happily accompanying her on each new adventure. Their final major trip together took place in August 2019, when they cruised around Japan and visited Vladivostok, Russia, a place of deep personal significance to Helen. Though it was their last great trip, they continued to share in the joy of travel through the experiences of their children.

In March 2017 they moved to Alpharetta, Georgia to be closer to daughter Tamara and her family.

George’s character was shaped by the challenges of his early life. The uncertainty, the displacement, the need to start over, all contributed to his quiet resilience. He was patient, steady, and deeply caring toward others.

Although soft-spoken and easy-going, George was never one to sit around. He was a true engineer at heart and was always creating! Building furniture, crafting boats, and even constructing a beautifully designed wooden kayak. He found joy in the simple pleasures: telling his signature “dad jokes,” fishing, boating, and spending time with family and friends.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Stepanovich Buzyna and Anna Georgievna Golitsyna, and his younger brother, Leonid Buzyna.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Helen Frisk Buzyna; his daughter Tamara Adams (Michael); his son Peter Buzyna (Magen); and his four grandchildren Daniel Adams, Kristina Adams, Alexander Buzyna, and Riley Buzyna.

A Panihkida will be held at St George Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, April 19 at 12pm. Funeral service will also be held at St George Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, IL on Monday, April 20 at 10am, followed by interment at Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois.

The family would like to thank the care he received at Celebration Village Forsyth in Suwanee, GA.

Ingram Funeral Home, 210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed online at ingramfuneralhome.com.