A.A. "Doc" Buechler
August 3, 1920 ~ April 30, 2012
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Dr. Alvin “Doc” Buechler, 91, of Gettysburg, passed away, Monday, April 30, 2012 at the Gettysburg Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 2012 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Gettysburg with Pastor Daniel Tews officiating. Burial followed in the Gettysburg Cemetery with military honors. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 4, 2012 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church.
Alvin Arthur Buechler was born August 3, 1920 to John B. and Mary (Eisenbiesz) Buechler in Bowdle, SD. He graduated from Bowdle High School in 1938.
Doc served in the US Navy from 1942-1946, serving in the Pacific.
In August 1947, he married Alita Guthmiller of Roscoe. They made their home in Gettysburg where they raised their three children.
Doc attended the University of South Dakota for two years in pre-dentistry and in 1951 he graduated from University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. In July of that same year he opened his dental practice in Gettysburg, serving patients from the surrounding area until his retirement in 1997. Together, Doc and his son, Dr. Steve operated a satellite practice in Onida from 1979-1997. Doc was very active in the dentistry profession; he was a life member of the American Dental Association and South Dakota Dental Association serving as president in 1967. He also belonged to Les Curtis Study Club, International College of Dentistry, Pierre Fauchard Academy, ADA Commission on Relief, ADA delegate, and was a past member of the Board of Directors of Delta Dental of South Dakota.
He was also very active in community activities. He was a life member of Ralph Leui Post #135 and served as Post commander, Past District 10 Commander, and Americanism Officer. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, serving on the church council for many years. He was active in Rotary, VFW, Chamber of Commerce, Gettysburg Country Club, Past Scout Master Troop 69, Chairman Gettysburg Centennial Celebration 1983, Mayor of Gettysburg, Gettysburg Board of Education for 16 years, State Library Commission and a member of Gettysburg Memorial Hospital Board and Oahe Manor Nursing Home Board.
Awards and Honors included South Dakota Hall of Fame, Silver Beaver Award from Boy Scouts of America, Gettysburg Jaycees Boss of the Year 1966, Outstanding School Board Member of South Dakota in 1973, Citizen of the Year 1981, Honored Guest South Dakota Dental Association in 1984, and American Legion Award for his contribution to the High School Oratory Contest.
Doc is survived by his wife Alita, Gettysburg; his children: Sue (Neil) VanBockel, Bloomington, MN, Dr. Steve Buechler, Gettysburg, SD, and Dr. Lynn (Mark) Utecht, Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren: Courtney (Dustin) Anderson, Ryan Van Bockel, Seth (Maria) Utecht and Maggie Utecht; one brother, Roland (Bonnie) Buechler, Belle Vista, AK and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Doc’s arrangements.
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Steve,
I just would like to extend my personal and deep condolances to you in this time of grief. The loss of a parent is something I have not experienced yet but I can only imagine the difficulty. I will keep you and your father in my prayers.
We are so sorry to read of Dr. Alvin’s death. It is so hard to lose a special loved one. Our prayers are with you during this time of adjustment and loss.
With Prayers and Sympathy,
Drs Ron and Janell Beck
I would like to offer my deepest sympathy. I always thought the world of Doc. I have nothing but the fondest memories of him while growing up across the street. He always made me laugh (even when he was keeping me in line). Even after I had moved away, no matter what he was doing or how busy he was, he always made a point to come out and say HI to me and my family. He was a great man and will be greatly missed by all that had the privilege of knowing him.
-Jeff Bohnenkamp
So VERY sorry to hear of Doc Buechlers passing. May our Heavenly Father hold all of you close during this difficult time. We are never done with our parents, yet must let them go Home to find the peace and comfort they so deserve.
To Alita and family you are in our prayers and thoughts at this time. May you know Gods peace and comfort. We wish we could be there Satuday with you, know that you will be in our prayers and thoughts.
Ray and Donna
Doc was a community leader for 60 years including being Scoutmaster in the early 1960’s when he asked Dr. Doug Torbert and I to help with the Scouts and then I went on to be an Explorer Scout Advisor for years. We sat beside each other at the Gettysburg Rotary Cloub for years too. I admired him and extend my condolences to his family and friends. Doc was always a good Scout…
Alita and family,
I am sorry to hear of Doc’s passing. He will be missed by many. I spent some time at the Buechler house over the years and he was always soo kind to all of the kids that stopped by. He was my dentist for many years and whenever I saw him in the past years, he always teased me about the time I bit his finger when he was working on my teeth!
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.