91 Fulfilling Years

One of the effects of being in activities during our school years is that we make friends with those in other classes.  How many lifelong friendships have been formed because we were on the same athletic teams, debate squads, band and choir groups, school clubs, church affiliations, and other similar organizations?

Our teener baseball team of 1965 consisted of 15 boys ages 13-15.  Because some of our birthdays fell just before or just after the cut-off date for starting school, there was a gap of four school years between the older and younger players.  As previous posts have indicated (https://classof69bhs.blogspot.com/2013/05/), we did have a rather exceptional season that summer.  One of the many key players on that team was Barry Buehler, who was a year ahead of us in school.  Barry was a talented all-around athlete, competent in football, basketball, and track and field. 

On our trip to Hershey for the national teener baseball tournament, a number of fathers acted as chaperones.  One of those fathers was Barry's dad, Russ.  Russ was an extremely likable and easy going individual.  He traveled extensively in his work and cautioned us that prices out east would be considerably more than they were here in South Dakota. He was a very loyal supporter of our team, and became friendly with all of the players. 

As will happen to all of us someday, Russ passed away on October, 27, 2019, at the age of 91.  His funeral was on October 31, 2019, in the Peterson Chapel at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls.  Many of the residents were in attendance, and were generous in their praise of Russ.  He always seemed to have a smile on his face and sincerely cared about the other people that were living there. 
Numerous people of those situations when Russ was so helpful to them, and took the time to really listen and take a genuine interest in what they had to say. 

Barry related how his father was only 15 when he enlisted in the Navy during World War II.  That naval experience, plus his penchant for traveling, seemed to have rubbed off on Barry.  After high school graduation, he and Al Larson hitch-hiked across Europe.  Does anyone remember when they came back and talked about their experience during as assembly at the high school our senior year? 
It seems to me that they told us that someone on the German Autobahn was giving them a ride, but seldom was watching the road.  It turned out that this man had designed that stretch of the road, and knew it like the back of his hand. 

It was great talking to Barry and reacquainting with him and his younger brother Bob, who was a year behind us.  Russ's obituary below indicates what a wonderful person he was.  Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to the family.