Robert George Buchert

Robert George Buchert. November 7, 1918 – May 1, 2018. Born in Cincinnati Ohio, Bob loved meat & potatoes, the military, his family, Manhattans, and staying active while winning at poker, going out to eat, and playing Bingo.

Bob never wanted to cause a fuss. At age 99½ he passed gently away in his sleep at Jupiter Medical Center. When asked, he always answered, “I’m good. No problems. Everything is good.” Bob was preceded in death by his parents George and Louise Buchert; wife Edith (Moulton) Buchert; sister Dorothy Maccarone; and son-in-law Daniel “Kelly” Phelan.

A few years after high school, Bob accepted a job at Engelking Patterns in Columbus Indiana, which developed into a life-long career. Bob also met his beloved wife Edith in Columbus. Their romance was interrupted when Bob joined the U.S. Army to serve in WWII, but the couple was able to marry on June 9, 1945 prior to Bob’s deployment to the South Pacific.

While in the 152nd Antiaircraft Battalion of the 11th Airborne Division from 1944 to 1946, Bob worked his way up to Sergeant Major. The Battalion deployed to the Philippine Islands, and completed their tour by parachuting into occupied Japan. Not long ago Bob said, "I've run the gamut with death. I'm not afraid of it."

In the meantime, Bob did just about everything he wanted. He fulfilled the promise he made to himself during the war that he'd return to Hawaii. He traversed Alaska into the Yukon Territory. He rode in a hot-air balloon and flew a plane, boated through the Panama Canal, snowmobiled in Yellowstone and even jumped out of an airplane. For fun. To round it off, he traveled all around the nation for veterans' conventions.

Bob was a member of Sandy Hook United Methodist Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1987, Golden K Kiwanis, Moose Lodge, AMVETS, Elks Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, Disabled Veterans, American Legion Post 24, Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard, and served as CHEF de GARE for the 40 and 8 Post 1274.

For nearly 20 years, Bob participated in the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard, providing comfort and a sense of pride to literally thousands of grieving families. Whether temperatures were 100 or -0 degrees, Bob never complained. He had an extraordinary sense of responsibility and such compassion for anyone who served in the military. He took his role with the Honor Guard very seriously, only retiring as Commander when at age 95 he moved to be near his daughter in Florida.

Three days prior to his 95th birthday, Columbus Mayor Kristen Brown formally presented Bob with a Key to the City of Columbus along with a Mayoral Proclamation declaring “November 10, 2013 to be Robert G. Buchert Day for His Extraordinary Service to His Country and Community and His Compassion for His Fellow Military Veterans.”

Bob is survived by his daughter Karen (Buchert) Phelan; son Robert W. Buchert & daughter-in-law Nance (Brown) Buchert; granddaughters Shana Phelan, Heather Buchert-Roscoe, Melissa (Buchert) Hale; and five great-grandchildren, Mikayla (Shana), Kameron & Kylee (Heather), Adison & Evelyn (Melissa).

Friends may call on the family at Myers–Reed Chapel in Columbus on Friday, May 11 from 6:00p.m.–8:00p.m., and on Saturday May 12 from 9:30a.m.–10:30a.m. A Celebration of Life will begin at 10:30a.m. on the 12th at Myers–Reed Chapel with Rev. Steve Russell officiating, followed by a short service at Garland Brook Mausoleum with military honors by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-reed.com.

All friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of remembrance at the Legion, per Bob’s request. The informal gathering will take place at the American Legion, 2515 25th St. in Columbus, at the conclusion of the traditional services.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard and sent to Myers–Reed Chapel, 3729 25th St, Columbus IN 47203 or dropped off at Myers-Reed during visitation.

“All my life, I've always just wanted to do my best. It served me well.” --Bob Buchert