Robert Elsworth Buckman

Robert E. Buckman, 88, of Aurora, Iowa died on Sunday morning, January 18, 2009 at Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters in Oelwein, Iowa after a short illness.

Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 22, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church in Hazleton with Pastor Duane Olsen officiating.
Visitation: 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein and for one hour before services at the church on Thursday.
Military Service: 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home by the Aurora American Legion Post # 435.
Public Masonic Service: 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home by the Oelwein Hebron Masonic Lodge # 374 A.F. & A.M.
Interment: Hazleton Cemetery, Hazleton, Iowa with military graveside rites by the Aurora American Legion Post # 435.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established and will be divided by the family between Bob's favorite charities. Please send memorials to P.O. Box 86 Aurora, Iowa 50607.

Obituary and online condolences may be left at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Robert Elsworth Buckman was born on January 1, 1921 at rural Hazleton, Iowa, the son of Harvie E. & Eunice F. (Basham) Buckman. He graduated from Hazleton High School in 1938. Bob served as a mechanic in the Army Air Force during W.W. II. He returned to the Aurora area to farm with his parents and remained on the farm until his illness. Bob was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church at Hazleton, the Aurora American Legion Post # 435 and the Independence V.F.W. Post #2240. He was a member of the Waterfall Masonic Lodge # 511 of Hazleton, Iowa where he was a Past Worshipful Master in 1971, 1979, 1984, and 1991 and after the consolidation with Hebron Masonic Lodge # 374 A.F. & A.M. he was Past Worshipful Master in 2002. Bob's love of flying got him involved as a pilot for the Flying Fez of the El Kahir Shrine of Cedar Rapids. He flew crippled children and their families to various Shrine Hospitals and also served as the commander of the group in 1991. Bob was a member of the Buchanan County Conservation Board for 30 years. He will be remembered by his donations of time and energy to many local boards and organizations.

Bob is survived by:
2 Brothers: Dale (Jan) Buckman of Aurora, Iowa & John Buckman of Ankeny;
1 Sister: Miriam Gamm of Arlington and many Nieces & Nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother: Darrell, a brother-in-law: Irwin Gamm and a sister-in-law: Kay Buckman.