Robert "Bob" Buchanan's Obituary
Robert Buchanan, Bob to his friends and family, passed away on March 21, 2025, in Tacoma, Washington. He was born on September 30, 1934, in Hollis, Oklahoma on a farm. He learned to drive at five years old and had his first farm job at nine. A strong work ethic was instilled in him at an early age.
Bob made a formal profession of faith and baptism on April 10, 1960 at First Presbyterian Church in McAlester, OK. He faithfully attended church in his last days when he was in Texas with his oldest daughter and liked to read Max Lucado devotions. He strived to love his children and God to the best of his ability. He always stayed true to his faith that God would be his help in time of uncertainty and trouble. He was faithful to remember family and friend’s birthdays and holidays with a card, calls and sometimes flowers and cake.
Bob attended Stillwater High School and then Oklahoma University on an athletic scholarship. He also attended the University of Texas; later he completed a Commercial Insurance Certification at University of Iowa. With respect to his athletic accomplishments, he won state title in the 880 in 1953, mile in 1952 and 1953 and cross-country in 1951 and 1952, setting the mile state record at 4:24.8. Won Big 6 indoor for OU in 1955, winning in both the 2-mile (9.12.5) as well as the Distance Medley Relay at 10.01.5. As a sophomore at OU, he held the Big Seven Conference Indoor two-mile championship and the Oklahoma AAU outdoor three-mile title.
Bob continued running until into his eighties, a testament to his lifelong passion for athletics and health. He was a strong believer in physical activity and friends his age recall not being able to keep up with him in the gym as he outpaced them by far on the treadmill. He moved with his wife and their two children from Oklahoma to Washington state in the 1980s. He loved the green and mountainous terrain, the ocean and the cooler climate. He was not one to sit still often but when he did sit, he enjoyed reading books on his Kindle, news articles on his phone and watching college sports, especially Oklahoma University.
Bob also loved flying and was a proficient pilot who had his own plane for a few years. He cherished a small Cessna model that he kept near him as one of his few treasured possessions. The song “Come to Jesus “ by Chris Rice is an apt description of what Bob looked forward to at the end of his life. “And with your final heartbeat, kiss the world goodbye. Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side. And fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus and live.” He requested we not mourn at his passing but rejoice.
A strong and committed man, Bob was passionate about working and dedicated to his trade – building his own business from the ground up, underwriting group insurance policies for businesses. He was always willing to give people a start in the business and train them. His employees remember him as kind and fair. In his last years, he sold his insurance business and worked as a bail bondsman up until 86 years of age. Bob touched lives with his determination, resilience, faith and compassion for those less fortunate, including those for whom he provided bonds.
Bob is survived by his oldest daughter, Susan Kay Mogish and two other children. He leaves six precious grandchildren. The words he asked us to remember are that his three children were the loves of his life.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Karen and his brothers, Henry Elton Buchanan, Raymond Buchanan, Roy Buchanan, and his sister, Lea Ola Nielsen. In honor of Bob's memory, we invite donations to the American Heart Association to help with research and funding for education about heart issues.
Bob will be laid to rest in Oklahoma at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens where his beloved sister Lea Ola also rests.
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