It would have tickled Bob Buddenberg that it rained the night before he died Thursday, June 21, 2012. Rain in June, to a lifelong farmer, means a chance to rest.
Robert Cole Buddenberg, 92, was born Sept. 7, 1919, in the Ottawa, Kan., fire station, the eldest of three sons of Rahi Stanley and Ruth (Cole) Buddenberg, who moved their family in 1924 to a farm southwest of Gothenburg. Except for his last year at the Wisner Care Center, and the years he spent in Europe with the Army in World War II, Buddenberg lived in Gothenburg all his life, farming, feeding beef cattle and raising a family of seven children.
He graduated valedictorian from Gothenburg High School in 1937 and attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln to study engineering and music. He played in the university band that went to the Rose Bowl in 1941. Bob’s schooling was interrupted by WWII. Upon returning to school, he earned a master’s degree in math and music from the University of Michigan, again marching in the Rose Bowl. It was while at the University of Michigan that he met Phyllis Fischer, whom he married on June 20, 1948, and moved to a life as musician-farmers in Gothenburg.
They taught music to their seven children, played in countless community music productions in Gothenburg and helped found the Sandhills Symphony, an orchestra based in North Platte, in 1961. For many years he played Taps at graveside for fellow veterans as part of the Gothenburg Honor Guard.
He served for many years in leadership posts for the Extension Service, from 4-H club leader to the Lincoln and Dawson Counties’ 4-H Councils to the advisory board at the University of Nebraska’s North Platte Experiment Station. In Gothenburg’s school system, he served multiple terms on the school board and for years drove busloads of athletes to away games.
Phyllis preceded him in death in 1983. He married Janice Lacey Williams on Oct. 26, 1985, retired from farming, shifted his membership from Banner United Methodist Church to the First Presbyterian and for the first time in his life moved to a permanent urban address, in Gothenburg. Janice too preceded him in death, in 2004, as did his brothers, William and Frank, in 1980 and 2006 respectively.
Survivors include his children, Rex (MJ) Buddenberg, of Monterey, Calif., Ann (Rich) Norgard, of Wisner, Robert J. (Pam) Buddenberg, of Gothenburg, Betsy (Bruce) Crabtree, of Creston, Roger (Laura) Buddenberg, of Omaha, Roz (Denise) Buddenberg, of McCook, and Carol (Bill) Rosenau, of Blair; step-children, Jan (Larry) Gill and Matt (Sue) Williams, both of Gothenburg, 19 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and seven step great-grandchildren.
Memorials are suggested to Sandhills Symphony and the Gothenburg Community Playhouse/Sun Theatre.
Register book signing will be from 1-8 p.m. on Friday, July 6, with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel. Online guest book at blasestrauser.com
Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 7, at the First Presbyterian Church, 1020 Lake Ave, Gothenburg with the Rev. Matt Coplen Officiating.
Inurnment will be at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, July 7, at the Peckham Cemetery.
Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg is in charge of arrangements.