Capt. Donald Robert Buechel, MD, U. S. Navy, Retired

"Bob" Buechel was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Donald William and Bonnie Priddy Buechel on 29 September 1924. His parents and younger brother, William Benjamin Buechel, predeceased him. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Joan, and four children, three grandchildren, and two nieces.

While growing up, Bob spent many summers working on the Kansas family farm, which led to his lifelong interest in farming and gardening and an ability to fix almost anything. After graduating from high school in Wichita at the age of sixteen, Bob entered the University of Kansas. His studies were interrupted when he enlisted in the Navy and was called to active duty. Shortly thereafter, he returned to university, earning a bachelor's degree in Zoology, then entering medical school at KU. Bob completed his MD in 1949.

Following medical school, Bob returned to active duty in the Navy, did his internship at the Naval Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina, completed a year of sea duty, then began his anesthesia residency at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland in 1951. While at Bethesda, friends introduced him to Joan Bissett, and they were married in Joan's hometown of Washington, DC, in 1952.

Bob served in the U.S. Navy for 32 years, including a tour in Vietnam during that conflict as Deputy MACV Surgeon at the Joint Command Headquarters, earning the Legion of Merit. During his Navy career, he was Chair of Anesthesia at three Naval Hospitals. He retired from the Navy in 1975 with the rank of Captain, following his last tour of duty as Commanding Officer of the Naval Hospital at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.

The same year as his Navy retirement Bob took a position as a Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology at Stanford University, with practice at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, where he trained many in anesthesiology.

While at Stanford, Bob served on the Faculty Senate. Becoming an Emeritus Professor in 1991, Bob continued as part-time faculty in the Stanford operating rooms. He formally retired from Stanford in 2003 as Professor Emeritus.

Bob is remembered by his wife and family with great love. He is also remembered fondly and with deep respect by the many he mentored and educated in anesthesiology. Bob was always welcoming and friendly, regardless of a person's station in life. May we all strive to follow his shining example of putting faith into action.

Eulogy for Bob Buechel presented by Jane Buechel at Spangler's Mortuary on February 4, 2022

We learn more about ourselves and others every day, and we're still learning about Dad and his lessons for us.

Dad always wanted everyone to get along and work together to do the right thing and get the job done.

Dad was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Don and Bonnie Buechel in 1924, and grew up there close to his extended family. One of his ancestors was a traveling minister who had immigrated from Germany, and Sundays were a day that his family gathered together and visited after church. Music was a part of this and became a source of enjoyment in his life. He learned how to work hard and the importance of teamwork while helping an aunt and uncle on the family farm south of Wichita for many summers. During this time, he developed a strong faith in God that helped him through many rough times in his life.

At the University of Kansas, he pursued his love of learning, and he honed his teamwork skills in the United States Navy. He completed his M.D. degree in 1949, served as a Navy physician, and completed an anesthesia residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. While he was there, friends introduced him to Joan Bissett, who was to become his soulmate. He and Joan were married in her hometown of Washington,DC, in 1952, and they began their life of teamwork and adventures together. Dad served in the Navy for 32 years, including a tour in Vietnam during that conflict. His military and wartime experience further strengthened his faith as he dealt with matters of life and death.

Dad's passion for learning developed into a love of teaching and sharing what he learned. Appreciation of this this was recently expressed by one of his former anesthesiology residents. She said this about Dad: "He shared his passion and joy of anesthesiology. He was a physician, a gentleman, a patient advocate,and exemplified the very best in the practice of anesthesiology."

After retiring from the Navy in 1975, Dad took a position as Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology at Stanford, with practice at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, where he trained many more in anesthesiology. He became Emeritus Professor in 1991, continued as part-time faculty, retired from Stanford in 2003, then continued to enjoy attending weekly Grand Rounds for many years.

Dad's faith carried him through his later years as his strength declined and visiting was restricted by the pandemic. When we could finally visit, with pandemic precautions, it was a joyful day. When Chaplain Edna was allowed to visit, her encouraging words were another bright spot.

Dad shared his faith with us and taught us to say grace before meals and not take them for granted. Whenever possible, he attended a Sunday worship service, even on camping trips. He enjoyed singing hymns and had many favorites. Dad worked hard, welcomed others, respected their beliefs, and listened to their concerns. Throughout Dad's life, his faith was his compass, his port in a storm, his anchor in port, and a light in the dark.

May the memory of his exemplary life serve as an example and blessing for all of us.