ROBERT JAMES BUCHNER

Bob was born in Harrisville on Jan. 21, 1936, to the late Alfred and Mary (Apsey) Buchner. Robert was raised on a dairy farm, attended Oscoda High School and Central Michigan University. He graduated with a major in biology and a minor in speech. He later attended graduate school at Northern Michigan University in counseling.

He taught in Merrill, Munising, and Alpena Public Schools. He taught English at Alpena Public Schools. He directed plays for Masquers Club, helped coach football, and led the Hi-Y group.

In 1956, he married Brenda Herman and in 1989 he married Pauline Albert. Together Robert and Pauline had eight children, Ramon Buchner, Elizabeth (John) Hilla, Randy (Christy) Buchner, Tracey (Paul) Sherlock, Julie (Bill) Cuzick, Nanette (Kevin) Anderson, Paula (Jac) Clutter, Jean (Jim) Brandon; twenty-one grandchildren, Nicolle (Paul) St. Aubyn, J.D. Hilla, Kasy Buchner, Kali Pettit, Nick Wilson, Jada Buchner, Jennifer Strandgaard, Samantha Strandgaard, Wesley Strandgaard, Anaka (Michael) Mandreda, Samuel Cuzick, Shase Cuzick, Neishelle Cuzick, Jordan (Hector) Anderson, Abigail (Billy) Ellis, Hannah (Michael) Parsons, Rachael Brandon, Luke Brandon, Eli Brandon, Rebekah Brandon, Darrel (Chrissy) Daoust; twenty great grandchildren, Will, Chris, Joel, Mylah, Marek, Maddox, Wyatt, Madison, Alex, Kailyn, Callah, Lucas, Ava, Nayvee, Ani, Rylie, Clair, Trent, Austin, Adeline, Harmony, and Elijah. Also surviving are three brothers, Carl Buchner, Bill Buchner, and Alfred (Sharon) Buchner.

Robert was well known as a hunter, gardener, storyteller, hounds man, stream fisherman, and woodsman. He was often the one asked to dress the game as well as cook and serve it. He had many fellow hound owners with whom he spent about 40 years chasing fox and coyote through the north woods.

His ‘happy place’ was Camp Alfred located in the Upper Peninsula near La Branche. It is a hunting camp with a rugged cabin built in wilderness style. He and his family have enjoyed spending time together there for the past 45 years.

Robert was preceded in death by his sisters, Marge (Elmer) Meden, Evelyn (Ed) Wall, and Beverly (Syd) Cook.

A memorial service will take place at the First United Methodist Church of Alpena on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Seok Nam Lim officiating. The memorial service will be broadcast on YouTube later in the week. A celebration of life will also be held in June of 2022. Cremation arrangements have been handled by the Bannan Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers you may consider a donation to one of the many places to which ‘farmer Bob’ donated his garden produce, such as the Friendship Rood, Hope Shore Alliance, or the Sunrise Mission.