OVERBROOK, Kan. – Robert LeRoy Buffum, 83, of Overbrook, Kan., died Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook. Bob was born Sept. 28, 1937, in El Dorado, Kan., the son of Charles Robert “Bob” and Cathlin (Carr) Buffum.
He grew up on a farm east of El Dorado. Bob attended a country school, where at one point he was the only student, and took first and second grades in one year. He graduated from Eldorado High School in 1954 at the age of 16. Following graduation, he studied at El Dorado Junior College for a semester. He then served in the United States Navy, after receiving consent from his parents due to his age of 17, from 1955 to 1958. Bob finished his military service and attended Wichita University for one year under the GI bill, and then earned his electronics technician certifications from Wichita Technical Institute.
He was married Aug. 8, 1959, to Loyette Stamper, in El Dorado. The pair lived in Wichita, Americus, and Burlington, Kan., before eventually settling in the Pomona Lake area in 1995, and then moving to Overbrook in 2013.
Bob worked at Beech Aircraft and Boeing, and as an electrician at Cudahy Meat Packing, while living in Wichita. He then worked in Emporia as an electrician at the Iowa Beef Processors. Later, he became an electrical supervisor and trainer at Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant until he retired.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, playing cards and board games with family, yard work, chatting with his many friends, and walking around the Overbrook City Lake. When he lived in Burlington, he loved to go golfing at the country club, and bowling at the bowling alleys in Emporia and Burlington. For about the last 20 years you could often find him enjoying a cup of coffee at Jack’s Café, Overbrook. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Americus Masonic Lodge, Americus Eastern Star, American Legion, Wolf Creek Retired Seniors, and Overbrook Seniors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Cathlin Buffum; a sister, Mary Fly; and a great granddaughter, Briar Henery.
He is survived by his wife, Loyette Buffum, of Overbrook; a daughter, Tawnee Henery and her husband, Pat, Overbrook; a son, Sean Buffum and his wife, Brenda, Overbrook; four grandchildren, Joshua Henery, Nicole Henery, Zachary Henery, and Desiree Henery; and 11 great grandchildren. Bob was an excellent husband and father, and always provided and cared for his family.
To celebrate Bob’s life, a graveside service will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 26, at Valley Brook Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524. Condolences can be left at www.lamb-roberts.com.
