Robert Buss

The Racine area will never be the same because of Robert Buss as he dedicated much of his life to serving the tight-knit community he called home throughout much of his life. He was well respected among his peers for his savvy business sense and publicly recognized for his service to his hometown, but it was Bob’s selfless devotion to and unending love for his family that was his greatest accomplishment. With the love of his life by his side, R.J. lived the American Dream each day and it will be his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who will proudly carry on his unmatched legacy.

The year 1929 is often remembered as the year that our nation was sent into a tailspin after the crash of the stock market on what became known as “Black Tuesday,” October 29, 1929. For more than 10 years following that fateful day, the Great Depression covered our nation and much of the world like a wet blanket. This was an unforgettable year for one young family in Gresham, Wisconsin, for a much different reason since it was on February 23rd that they celebrated the birth of a healthy baby boy. Robert Joseph was welcomed into the world by his loving parents, Alex and Helen Buss. He was the oldest boy in his family and was one of ten children in his family. As the son of second generation immigrants, Robert was affectionately known as Red, R.J., Bob, and of course, Robert.

Since he had a rather adventurous spirit, R.J. was ready to head out and see the world by the time he was 18 in 1947. He left the homestead and traveled to Shawano to join the Bodart Shows. As an amusement ride operator, also known as a grease monkey, Bob’s strong work ethic was appreciated by the carnival family. Nicknamed Red, it was through his work with the carnival that he met a third generation “carnie” with whom he would share an abiding love. Her name was Cheyenne Thompson, and she was no stranger to hard work and the long hours that the carnival life demands. It wasn’t long before Red knew that she was the woman with whom he would build a future. After courting for a short time, the couple married on April 17, 1948, in Appleton.

With great dreams for the future, R.J. took his wife and baby daughter, Mary Kay, to Racine where the opportunities for someone who was willing to work hard were plentiful. Together he and his partner in love and in life built their first of many homes for a Racine family, marking the beginning of R.J. Buss Builders. As their business grew, so did their family and with the birth of their second daughter, Eva, their family was complete.

The importance of community was always something that Bob felt strongly about and with that in mind, he joined the Racine Builders Association in 1953. He quickly earned the respect of other area builders and was nominated president of the association in 1962. As president, Bob became active in both the Wisconsin Builders Association and the National Association of Builders. As a congressional contact, he earned further respect both in Madison and in Washington lobbying for the industry he loved. Back in the Racine area, business was booming and Bob’s work, which included both residential homes and commercial properties, was highly revered. His signature designed homes were featured in numerous Parade of Homes exhibits throughout the city in subdivisions that he and Cheyenne developed in Racine County.

Much of Bob’s life was spent reaching out to the community around him. Together he and his wife enjoyed flipping pancakes in May and renovating a Washington Avenue home for troubled youth. In recognition of his service, R.J. was honored by the Kiwanis Club on more than one occasion. His expertise in his field led to his appointment as a volunteer commissioner to the Racine Water and Wastewater Utilities in 1978. Little did Cheyenne know that this would lead them to San Francisco on utility business where they survived the great earthquake of 1989. After 21 years of service, Mayor James Smith proclaimed October 16, 1998, as Robert J. Buss Day in recognition of his service as commissioner. Robert’s entrepreneurship included many professional businessmen including King Ehrlich, Don Boutell, Attorney Fred Wheeler, and Attorney Adrian Schoone.

Although Bob fully immersed himself in his work and community affairs, nothing was ever of greater importance than spending time with his wife, family, and buddies. He always found time for hunting trips out west and fun-filled trips to the cottage on Anderson Lake. There was also plenty of time for deer hunting in the fall and snowmobiling in the winter. Bob treasured the motor home trips to Horicon for goose hunting with Cheyenne and Eva as evidenced by the trophy geese displayed at the family cottage. Unforgettable memories were made by all who were invited to the Racine Yacht Club during Salmon-A-Rama complete with lively card and dice games and fishing on Lake Michigan.

Bob fully embraced his roles as a husband and father, but becoming a grandfather and great-grandfather was perhaps his greatest reward. Nothing could have made him happier than living next door to his granddaughter whom he affectionately called “My Little Love” and her amazing children, Logan and Peyton.

Few would argue that Robert Buss achieved great success according to the world’s measure and although he was so proud of his accomplishments, they paled in comparison to the true legacy he created in the generations who will proudly follow in his footsteps. Blessed to spend 62 years with not only the love of his life, but also his best friend, R.J. lived his life with concern for others as the compass he used to guide his path. He was a stranger to none and a friend to all and once a friend of Bob’s, you were a friend for life. Someone who lived life to its fullest and took each moment captive, he created a brilliantly colored mosaic of memories that will surely withstand the ebb and flow of the tide. Life will never be the same without Robert, but the world has been forever changed because he was here.

Robert Joseph “R.J.” Buss died on February 8, 2010. R.J.’s family includes his wife, Cheyenne; his daughters, Kay (Paul) Dawson and Eva Buss; granddaughter, Tiffany (Joshua) Baumstark; great-grandchildren, Logan and Peyton; siblings, Irene (Edward) Baker, Kenneth (Phyllis) Buss, Betty Buss, Ella (Carl) Matz, Rosemary (David) Warden and Barbara (Ronald) Cecchi; special nephew, Frank Krueger as well as many other nieces, nephews, and countless friends. Bob was preceded in death by his sisters, Helen Krueger and Dorothy Klitzka; brother, Henry Buss; his protégé, Bill Klokow. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 12, 2011, 10 a.m., at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 3350 LaSalle Street. Interment will follow at West Lawn memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Friday the 11th at the funeral home from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to Christ the King Lutheran Church.