Robert Eugene Buchanan, Sr.

Robert Eugene Buchanan was born September 7, 1931, to Oliver and Hazel Buchanan. He passed from this life on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.  He was born in Friendly, West Virginia, but grew up in Lincoln Park, Michigan. He met the love of his life at age 13 at Wyandotte Church of Christ. He worked in a woodshop a year out of high school then went to Freed Hardeman Junior College and graduated with a two-year degree. Three weeks after he graduated in 1952, Bob married Barbara Jean Farley. Bob and Barbara then moved to Tampa, Florida to attend Florida Christian College where he was on the debate team and won second with his partner Tony Ash. He graduated from there in two years and now had two Associates degrees. With his degrees, he went to Valdosta, Georgia and taught at Dasher Bible School. For the next several years, Bob and Barbara went from Trenton, Michigan to Ohio then back to Trenton to preach. Three of his children were born during this time.

He always knew he was going to go into the Mission Field. He talked to Ray and Helen Bryan and convinced them into going to the Philippines for mission work. This began his true life’s work to live out Christ’s commission in the Philippines.

In 1964, Bob and Barbara with their three children went to Baguio City. They met Ken Wilkey there and started their beloved friendship. He worked at the Philippine Bible College as a teacher and as the President then came back to the United States in 1971 to get a Master’s degree from Abilene Christian College. He completed his Bachelor’s degree and went on to get his Master’s degree in only 13 months while also supporting his family.

The family went back to the Philippines until 1979. During that time, Bob and Barbara adopted two children. When coming back to the United States, Bob started teaching at White’s Ferry Road School of Preaching and preached at the Archibald Church of Christ and Haile Church of Christ in Louisiana until 1983. Bob then moved to Uvalde, TX and started preaching there. He moved in 1988 to Abilene to work at ACU as a Missionary in Residence.

In 1996, he and Barbara made a 5-year commitment to move back to the Philippines and work to encourage the local church leaders. That 5 years turned into 13. They, then, moved back to Abilene to retire. Though, he still went back every three months to bless others with God’s Word. Tatang (Uncle) Bob’s commitment to the Philippines and his family continued until the time he went to Heaven.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Hazel; two of his brothers and their wives, Gerald and Evelyn Buchanan and Harold and Beverly Buchanan. Also, his in-laws, Douglas and Wanda Farley and Denver Farley and niece Elane Cash.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Barbara Buchanan. Their children, Colleen and Raymond Blasingame (Abilene), Robert Jr. and Frances Buchanan (Marion, LA), Vivian and Timothy Huggins (Holladay, TN), Jeannie and Chase Rimel (Amarillo), and James and Carissa Buchanan (Celina, TX). Bob proudly had 12 grandchildren and more than 20 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Bill Buchanan (Woodhaven, MI). And his best buddies, Haldon Fry and Ken and Margie Wilkey.

The family would like to thank Bob's caregivers at Diamond Creek in Home Care and the nurses and therapists at Enhabit Home Health for the gentle and loving way they cared for him.

Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, July, 14 from 5-7 pm at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St. A service will be held at 10:00 am Friday morning in the Chapel of the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be Nueces Canyon Church of Christ – Philippine Mission Fund, P.O. Box 263, Camp Wood, Texas, 78833.  Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.