Arlo J. “Buck” Mildenstein

Arlo J. "Buck" Mildenstein went home to be with the Lord on August 17, 2023, after a short battle with cancer in Topeka, KS. He was 76 and tended to at home by his loving daughters, Saunja and Tamara.

Buck was born in 1947 in Waterloo, Iowa to Arlo E. and Virginia R. Mildenstein. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Barbara, who preceded him in death in 1997. He never remarried.

Buck served his country all his life and retired as a Colonel from the US Army in 1992, having been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Service Stars, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and more. He said of his military career, he was most proud of being an Infantry Officer, because "most men ran from it." He graduated from the US Army Infantry Officer's Basic Course, US Army Airborne School, Infantry Officer's Advanced Course, Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course, the US Army War College, and the US Army's Command and General's Staff College, where he later was an author and instructor. From 1988-1990, he served as Director for the Battle Command Training Program in Leavenworth, KS. He also earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Florida.

Buck traveled the world, enjoyed anything and everything to do with the outdoors, loved his wife passionately, and was dedicated to his family as Son, Husband, Father, and Grandfather. In 2022, he was proud to swear in his grandson Connor as a 2LT in the US Army, Field Artillery. Buck is survived by his daughters Saunja R. Mildenstein and Tamara K. Cline, Son-in-Law Steven Cline, as well as granddaughter Llewellyn Cline and grandson Connor Cline.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Always humble, Buck requested no funeral or memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, all gifts may be sent to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.