Rodney “Rod” Buchele

Rodney “Rod” Buchele, age 67, died August 2, 2015 at home with his family by his side. Born August 17, 1947 in Waterloo, IA the son of Wesley F. and Mary (Jagger) Buchele, he attended schools in Michigan and Iowa, graduating from Ames High School in 1965. He received his B.S. in Economics from Iowa State University (1969) and a Master’s in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Plattville (1978). He married Mary (McElroy) Petzold June 14, 1986 in the Clausing Barn at Old World Wisconsin. 

Rod worked as a 4-H Extension Agent in Bayfield County, WI (1970-1978), Kenosha County, WI (1979-1984), Bradford County, FL (1986-1993), as the SE Area 4-H Specialist in Lamar, CO (1993 – 2003) and the SW Area 4-H Youth Development Specialist in Garden City, KS (2003 – 2015). He was a 40+ year member of the National Association of 4-H Extension Agents. He served on their national board, on committees, and was a frequent workshop presenter at the annual conferences. Rod’s family hosted many youth and adults through international 4-H exchange programs. He served two terms on the Governor’s Volunteer Commission. Rod was a devoted follower of public radio, and served as a Director and President of the High Plains Public Radio Board. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church in Garden City. He never stopped learning about leadership, space, and new technologies. Rod loved being a parent and included his family in many of his activities, taking them to Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, science museums, and 4-H leadership events. 

Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou Buchele, his son, Steven J. Buchele and his daughter Mary Lynn Buchele, both of the home, his father, Wesley Buchele, Ames, IA, sisters Marybeth Buchele, Ames, IA, and Sheron (Curtis) Buchele Rowland, Loveland, CO and his brother, Steven W. (Suzanne) Buchele, Berekuso, Ghana. He is further survived by cousins, nieces and nephews, and a great number of colleagues and friends across the country. Rod was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Jagger Buchele in April, 2000.  

Cremation has occurred and interment will take place at a later date. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, August 8, at the Presbyterian Church of Garden City, 1719 Texas St. Friends may call on the family Friday, August 7, 5-7 pm at the church. The family requests memorials contributions to the Presbyterian Church of Garden City, to High Plains Public Radio, or to the Kansas 4-H Foundation all in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N. 7th St., Garden City, Kansas 67846.