Representative’s Husband Dies in Alaska Plane Crash

WASHINGTON — Eugene “Buzzy” Peltola Jr., the longtime regional director of the Alaska Bureau of Indian Affairs and husband of Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, has died in a plane crash in their home state.

Peltola’s death was announced in a statement released by the representative’s office on social media.

“We are devastated to share that Mary’s husband, Eugene Peltola Jr., — ‘Buzzy’ to all of us who knew and loved him — passed away earlier this morning following a plane accident in Alaska,” Peltola’s chief of staff, Anton McParland, said.

“He was one of those people that was obnoxiously good at everything,” the statement said. He had a delightful sense of humor that lightened the darkest moments. 

“He was definitely the cook in the family. And family was most important to him,” the statement continued. “He was completely devoted to his parents, kids, siblings, extended family and friends — and he simply adored Mary. We are heartbroken for the family’s loss.”

The statement went on to ask for privacy for the Peltola family and said the representative was heading home to Alaska.

McParland said the representative’s office would continue to work for her constituents while the family grieves.

Initial reports from the National Transportation Safety Board say the plane crashed shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday night in a remote and mountainous area about 65 miles north of St. Mary’s, Alaska, a small village with a population of about 600.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said in a social media post that she was “shocked, saddened and truly beyond words to express my grief at the loss of Gene Peltola Jr.”

“Anyone who met Buzzy felt his warmth, generosity and charm. It was easy to see why so many Alaskans called him a friend, and how he was so loved by his family,” she said.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue