Brian Bueche

Brian Bueche was a family man through and through. He and his wife, Mary Jo thrived on planning trips together and devoting much of their time and resources to their three wonderful sons; Mike, Matt, and Nate. Brian had a sincere love for all people as well as physical activity. Each and every time he was at the gym, on the rink, or hiking trails, his heart was content in living his life to its fullest. Gone too soon, there is no doubt Brian leaves behind many wonderful memories for his family and many special friends to cherish forevermore.

The year 1957 was where Brian’s story began. It was a period of time marked by the many talents of professional sports figures, musicians, and movie stars such as Mickey Mantle, Elvis Presley, and James Dean. Families still huddled around television sets to catch the latest westerns such as Gunsmoke or anything featuring Lucille Ball. On April 30th in Grand Rapids, Michigan proud parents, John “Jack” and Catherine (Eick) Bueche welcomed home their baby boy, Brian Bueche. Born the oldest of six children, his birth brought much joy and happiness to the family home.

Growing up in Wyoming, Michigan, Brian learned the value of a hard day’s work yet never let it impede his adventurous nature! As hard as he worked, he played equally as hard! Raised with strong faith, he attended Holy Name Elementary School. Later, he went on to Rogers High School. As a student, he was able to balance his passion for music by playing the trombone and working long hours, stocking at Kmart, picking onions and potatoes, and interning at Williams and Works where he learned drafting by hand. After graduation, he started his post educational years at Grand Rapids Junior College before transferring to Michigan Technological University in Houghton to study civil engineering. While in college, he played in the pep band as well as enjoyed many of the winter sports in the Keweenaw area known for its brutal winters.

One day while hanging out in the student lounge, he met his future bride, Mary Jo Williams, who was also a common visitor to the lounge. The two of them enjoyed their days as “lounge rats” and eventually started dating. Their very first official date was to see the popular 1978 National Lampoon’s Animal House movie, starring John Belushi, and the rest was history! She fell for his wry sense of humor. Iron River was the perfect setting for their November 29, 1980 wedding ceremony. The happy couple returned back to MTU just two days later so Brian could finish up his classes. They counted each and every vacation together over the years as the honeymoon they never had!

Brian’s career took him on many adventures over the years. They started out in Houston, Texas where he accepted an engineering position in the traffic department. While there, they welcomed home their first son, Mike. Later, Brian’s work landed them in Salt Lake City, Utah for a couple of years before moving back to the Midwest in Bay City, Michigan. Over the next seventeen years, he worked as an Assistant City Engineer, then later became the City Engineer. During these years, their family grew to include two more children, Matt and Nate. As a father, Brian was very active in their lives. He led their Boy Scouts Troop 158 in Essexville as a Scout Leader and taught them the value of holding themselves to high standards. A fun-loving dad, he also taught them to value the great outdoors and enjoyed many trips with the troop camping outdoors and exploring nature.

Brian was born with an innate sense of outdoor adventure and over the years, he shared his love of road biking, hiking, speed skating, as well as playing hockey! Many of his days riding included local rides and multiple day tours over the years. He even took the kids in the travel buggy when they were still young enough to fit inside! He coached their speed skating teams and also was a referee as well as an avid competitor himself! He loved the thrill of adventure and breaking a sweat! Hockey gave Brian his camaraderie with the other players where he was known to play in pickup leagues as well as encourage his own boys on the rink. Brian and Mary Jo spent many of their parenting years on weekend adventures with the boys or cheering them on at the local ice arenas!

By 2001, Brian’s work began at the Kent County Road Commission so the family relocated their final time. His new position afforded him more time with his family and activities. They enjoyed many trips to the Adirondack mountains with their close friends hiking and making lasting memories. Whenever they were traveling, Brian always looked for a hiking trail. When the boys were grown, he and Mary enjoyed many car trips. Many of their trips to Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Minnesota, and Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula, continued their search for nature’s beauty. They never grew tired of the countless waterfalls they tagged during their years together.

Never one to remain idle, Brian held a wide variety of special interests. Physically fit, he loved to design work out plans. It was typical for him to work out two to five nights a week, even after a full day’s work. Known for his high fitness level, he even created circuit workouts for him and his friends. A proud Husky, he was also very active with the Michigan Tech West Michigan Alumni Chapter. For many years he enjoyed helping to organize their annual golf outing and treasured reconnecting with many of his MTU friends. A logical thinker, Brian enjoyed starting up conversations on controversial topics that interested him over a game of Euchre, Cribbage, or Backgammon. He generally only argued about issues if he was already knowledgeable on the subject and enjoyed getting a rise out of people! Sadly, he recently collapsed during one of his daily workouts and passed away a few days later. To honor Brian’s wishes, the family donated his viable organs to others in need. Devoted, dedicated, and deeply loved, Brian will be dearly missed and fondly remembered for his generous heart and compassion for others. May his endearing spirit continue to be reflected in the lives of his loved ones for generations to come.

Brian John Bueche, age 62, of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away on December 6, 2019. Brian is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; children Michael, Matthew (and fiance, Honora Fallon-Oben), and Nate; parents, John “Jack” & Catherine Bueche; father and mother-in-law, Alan & Marie Williams; brothers and sisters, Maureen & Chuck Wegener, Ed & Linda Bueche, Joe & Deb Bueche, Lou & Karolyn Bueche, Cathy Harrington; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Ronald & Cindy Williams, James & Tracy Williams, Gerald & Bobbi Williams as well as many nieces and nephews. Brian was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Elaine Williams and brother-in-law, Dan Harrington. Friends are invited to visit with Brian’s family on Friday, December 13th at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE from 5-8 PM with a vigil service and time of sharing to begin at 8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 14th at 2 PM at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. For those who wish, memorial contributions to either West Michigan Speedskating Club or Michigan Tech - West Michigan Alumni Chapter Endowed Scholarship fund #5175 are appreciated. To share a memory or photo, or to sign his guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com