SrA Maris Michael Butta
November 16, 1987 – October 26, 2009
Maris Michael Butta was born on November 16, 1987, at a mere 28 weeks gestation. He was supposed to have been born in February of ‘88. When it became apparent that Maris was going to be born early, the doctor expressed a hope that Maris would weigh at least one pound as that would improve his chances of survival. In fact, he weighed in at 2 lb 12 oz, with a perfect Apgar score of 10.
Baby Maris was a fighter. He survived all the painful medical tests and treatments that he endured on a daily basis. Relentless drawing of blood meant that Maris also needed frequent blood transfusions. Because he was relatively large for a preemie, the staff assumed he was one month older than he was. Eventually, Baby Maris was old enough and developed enough to go home to his family.
Maris was very aware of his connection with Deity. Happiest when in nature, Maris loved hiking, mountain climbing, and generally exploring the great outdoors. His dad and mom fondly recall the family’s many adventures to beautiful destinations like Door County, Niagara Falls, Manistique, and White Pines, to name just a few. On one car ride along Lake Michigan, Maris wanted to get out every few miles to walk through the various ecosystems such as the woodlands, the beach, and the sand dunes. At the top of one sand dune, the whole family had a unique experience when Maris spotted a porcupine in a tree. As Maris and the porcupine looked at one another, the family realized that none of them had ever seen a porcupine in its natural habitat.
As for beloved pets, the family has several cats, among whom Maris favored Stripey. In all of these precious photos, we can see the love he had for Stripey as well as their other felines.
On another occasion in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Maris and his family were hiking the splendid trails that wound all around a series of waterfalls. Maris and his brother Philip ran ahead with excitement to the next mile marker, while their parents drove and met up with them. You see, it was Maris who was most proactive about experiencing as much as possible out in nature. Being in nature gave Maris a feeling of freedom and a sense of a Presence greater than himself.
Maris dreamed of one day climbing Mount Everest. He and his brother Alex talked about it a lot. We wonder if perhaps Maris’ spirit is standing on that mountain peak right now, thoroughly spent and exhilarated from the arduous climb, looking down on us as we remember him today…
Alex and Maris had plenty of brotherly adventures together that were filled with the sort of unplanned problem-solving that makes for treasured memories. On one such journey, they were out for a long bike ride along the lakefront. They began at their home near Kimball and Lawrence on the northwest side and road all the way south of the museum campus. On their way back, Maris’ pedal broke off his bike. Now, in case you’ve never had the occasion to experience this particular conundrum, you might not have realized just how important that second pedal is. Well, being near Belmont Harbor, Maris was inspired by the notion of what a tug boat does and found a piece of rope. The brothers tied Maris’ bicycle to Alex’s and Alex proceeded to tug Maris all the way back home!
Maris liked to know the nuts and bolts of how things worked. He helped his dad work on the car, computers, and bicycles. He and his dad went mountain biking in Kettle Moraine State Park just before Maris left to join the Air Force. That was a special time for his dad who felt particularly thankful to have some one-on-one time with Maris.
His mom distinctly recalls how, even at a very young age, Maris took great interest in military history. In fact, Maris’ experience with the Air Force was one of the proudest and most satisfying achievements of his all-too-short life. A member of the 8th Intel squad at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, Maris prepared and presented briefings, conducted pre-mission analysis, analyzed post-mission assessments, and collected, analyzed, and exploited threat information. These duties and so many others too lengthy to include here enabled our US military to reduce drug profit by 1.5 million dollars and disrupt Taliban terror operations.
Maris received numerous military awards, including the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, and the Air Force Training Ribbon. He was hand selected by his Squadron Commander to escort the arrival of three Royal Thai Air Force Generals which he did with flawless execution.
When one reads the performance evaluations that Maris’ superiors shared with us, it is difficult to fathom how he managed to do so much in the three years that he served in the US Air Force.
His mom says Maris had the purest heart, the brightest spirit, the bravest soul, and the kindest and most compassionate nature of anyone she ever knew. His dad attests that Maris was always willing to bend over backwards to help his friends and his family. He was a regular blood donor and a registered bone marrow donor, and served many hours as a volunteer for a multitude of fundraisers.
Maris was always sweet and thoughtful. When he was just 13 years old, he gave his younger brother Philip a little green bear wearing a peridot stone around its neck. Maris knew that peridot is Philip’s birthstone.
Philip points out that Maris was an independent person who did not conform to other’s norms. While home for a visit last year, he sat in on some of Philip’s classes at Northwestern. While Philip took lecture notes, Maris looked around and noted that the majority of students all dressed alike. In one classroom, he counted 40 girls wearing Uggs boots and according to him, there were far too many North Face jackets peppering the campus. When I asked Philip what Maris was wearing, Philip replied, “Well, his hair was a Mohawk, and he wore aviator sunglasses and a belt with bullet shell casings. He was cool.”
Maris’ parents are so grateful and honored that he chose to be a part of their family during his brief earth-walk. He was a warrior from birth until death and he will be greatly missed by all of his friends and family. We honor Maris’ passing, and we know that his spirit will be with us always.
November 16, 1987 – October 26, 2009
Maris Michael Butta was born on November 16, 1987, at a mere 28 weeks gestation. He was supposed to have been born in February of ‘88. When it became apparent that Maris was going to be born early, the doctor expressed a hope that Maris would weigh at least one pound as that would improve his chances of survival. In fact, he weighed in at 2 lb 12 oz, with a perfect Apgar score of 10.
Baby Maris was a fighter. He survived all the painful medical tests and treatments that he endured on a daily basis. Relentless drawing of blood meant that Maris also needed frequent blood transfusions. Because he was relatively large for a preemie, the staff assumed he was one month older than he was. Eventually, Baby Maris was old enough and developed enough to go home to his family.
Maris was very aware of his connection with Deity. Happiest when in nature, Maris loved hiking, mountain climbing, and generally exploring the great outdoors. His dad and mom fondly recall the family’s many adventures to beautiful destinations like Door County, Niagara Falls, Manistique, and White Pines, to name just a few. On one car ride along Lake Michigan, Maris wanted to get out every few miles to walk through the various ecosystems such as the woodlands, the beach, and the sand dunes. At the top of one sand dune, the whole family had a unique experience when Maris spotted a porcupine in a tree. As Maris and the porcupine looked at one another, the family realized that none of them had ever seen a porcupine in its natural habitat.
As for beloved pets, the family has several cats, among whom Maris favored Stripey. In all of these precious photos, we can see the love he had for Stripey as well as their other felines.
On another occasion in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Maris and his family were hiking the splendid trails that wound all around a series of waterfalls. Maris and his brother Philip ran ahead with excitement to the next mile marker, while their parents drove and met up with them. You see, it was Maris who was most proactive about experiencing as much as possible out in nature. Being in nature gave Maris a feeling of freedom and a sense of a Presence greater than himself.
Maris dreamed of one day climbing Mount Everest. He and his brother Alex talked about it a lot. We wonder if perhaps Maris’ spirit is standing on that mountain peak right now, thoroughly spent and exhilarated from the arduous climb, looking down on us as we remember him today…
Alex and Maris had plenty of brotherly adventures together that were filled with the sort of unplanned problem-solving that makes for treasured memories. On one such journey, they were out for a long bike ride along the lakefront. They began at their home near Kimball and Lawrence on the northwest side and road all the way south of the museum campus. On their way back, Maris’ pedal broke off his bike. Now, in case you’ve never had the occasion to experience this particular conundrum, you might not have realized just how important that second pedal is. Well, being near Belmont Harbor, Maris was inspired by the notion of what a tug boat does and found a piece of rope. The brothers tied Maris’ bicycle to Alex’s and Alex proceeded to tug Maris all the way back home!
Maris liked to know the nuts and bolts of how things worked. He helped his dad work on the car, computers, and bicycles. He and his dad went mountain biking in Kettle Moraine State Park just before Maris left to join the Air Force. That was a special time for his dad who felt particularly thankful to have some one-on-one time with Maris.
His mom distinctly recalls how, even at a very young age, Maris took great interest in military history. In fact, Maris’ experience with the Air Force was one of the proudest and most satisfying achievements of his all-too-short life. A member of the 8th Intel squad at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, Maris prepared and presented briefings, conducted pre-mission analysis, analyzed post-mission assessments, and collected, analyzed, and exploited threat information. These duties and so many others too lengthy to include here enabled our US military to reduce drug profit by 1.5 million dollars and disrupt Taliban terror operations.
Maris received numerous military awards, including the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, and the Air Force Training Ribbon. He was hand selected by his Squadron Commander to escort the arrival of three Royal Thai Air Force Generals which he did with flawless execution.
When one reads the performance evaluations that Maris’ superiors shared with us, it is difficult to fathom how he managed to do so much in the three years that he served in the US Air Force.
His mom says Maris had the purest heart, the brightest spirit, the bravest soul, and the kindest and most compassionate nature of anyone she ever knew. His dad attests that Maris was always willing to bend over backwards to help his friends and his family. He was a regular blood donor and a registered bone marrow donor, and served many hours as a volunteer for a multitude of fundraisers.
Maris was always sweet and thoughtful. When he was just 13 years old, he gave his younger brother Philip a little green bear wearing a peridot stone around its neck. Maris knew that peridot is Philip’s birthstone.
Philip points out that Maris was an independent person who did not conform to other’s norms. While home for a visit last year, he sat in on some of Philip’s classes at Northwestern. While Philip took lecture notes, Maris looked around and noted that the majority of students all dressed alike. In one classroom, he counted 40 girls wearing Uggs boots and according to him, there were far too many North Face jackets peppering the campus. When I asked Philip what Maris was wearing, Philip replied, “Well, his hair was a Mohawk, and he wore aviator sunglasses and a belt with bullet shell casings. He was cool.”
Maris’ parents are so grateful and honored that he chose to be a part of their family during his brief earth-walk. He was a warrior from birth until death and he will be greatly missed by all of his friends and family. We honor Maris’ passing, and we know that his spirit will be with us always.
Maris Michael Butta, Senior Airman, son of Raymond and Deena, nee Weglarz; brother of Alexander and Philip Butta. A 2006 graduate of Gordon Tech High School, Maris was a member of the 8th Intel squadron in the U.S. Air Force at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. He was decorated with the Air Force Achievement Medal and earned the following awards: Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal and the Air Force Training Ribbon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 A.C. Skinner Pkwy., Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Visitation Monday, 3 to 9 p.m., and Tuesday, 9 a.m., until time of service, 10 a.m., at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery.
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