Byron Oliver Bucklew, Jr

Byron Oliver Bucklew, Jr. (Bob), of Pineville, NC, passed away July 24, 2020 with his immediate family at his side, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.  Bob was born August 11, 1935, in Toledo, Ohio, to Florence (Yarick) and Byron Oliver Bucklew, Sr. (both parents deceased)  He is mourned by his wife of 54 years, Gladys (Rieckenberg) Bucklew; children – William (Heidi) Bucklew, Wilmette, IL, and Susan (Nelson) Conard, Charlotte, NC; four grandchildren – Madeleine and Evan Bucklew and Hayden and Skye Conard; brother Richard (Nanette) Bucklew and sister Bonnie (Mark) Lamb, both of Toledo, OH.  His pleasant demeanor, upbeat and outgoing personality were a lifelong blessing for his friends and family.

Bob became a passionate amateur photographer and film maker, starting in the 1950’s, during his world travels and continuing with a regular family movie night, where he would debut his latest work and could re-splice an errant split of an 8mm reel in record time.  Bob was an adept mechanic, as comfortable with a wrench as he was circuit board, and could be found tuning up the family car or fixing a neighbor’s TV on weekends.  He was a lifelong sports enthusiast, both as a player (basketball, bowling, softball) and fan (Chicago Cubs, college basketball, etc.), as well as a coach (children’s soccer).  He was a wonderful father (as rumor had it, he even gave successful CPR to his daughter’s pet hamster).  Bob never missed his children’s sporting events and in later years loved watching his grandchildren play, especially soccer. 

For years, Bob mentored students by volunteering with Junior Achievement in Hoffman Estates, IL.  He was an avid card player (particularly Bridge) all his life.  In retirement he developed a passion for genealogical research into his ancestors, even publishing a book detailing the entire family history, substantiating his direct descendance from the Scotts of Buccleuch.

Bob served in the U. S. Army Security Agency, active duty and reserves, from 1957 to 1963. He then began his career with McDonnell-Douglas in St. Louis, MO, and held leadership roles with Belden (Chicago), Emerson Electric (St. Louis), retiring with DynCorp, in Reston, VA. 

Bob was recently quoted, saying “My life, as I look back on it, couldn’t have been a better life.” 

No funeral service is planned.  Memorials may be sent to: Uncorked Adventures (Bob’s son Bill’s charity - Bill also has Parkinson’s), whose mission is “To help people with Parkinson’s Disease make the most out of life, while we work together to find a cure.”  

Website: (https://www.uncorkedadventures.org/donations/bob/)

Address - Uncorked Adventures NFP, PO Box 884, Wilmette, IL 60091

Telephone:  +1-773-263-5026

Palmetto Funeral Home of Fort Mill is serving the family of Mr. Byron Oliver Bucklew, Jr.

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