Ronald Wayne Buescher's Obituary
Ron Buescher was a fun and loving family man, internationally recognized food scientist, and dedicated professor at the University of Arkansas. He was passionate about life and helped so many people on his path. One of Ron’s unique accomplishments was receiving the Hall of Fame Award from the Pickle Packers International, as he humbly made improvements to the world of pickles.
Ronald Buescher was born on Easter Sunday, April 25, 1943 to Arnold and Irma Buescher in Washington, IN. He attended Edwardsport High School, where he played basketball and baseball, graduating in 1961. In 1965 he married Lynette Jo Conrad. Together, they had two children, Natalie and Wayne.
Dr. Ron Buescher studied at Purdue University, Indiana, where he obtained his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture. He studied and worked in Brazil before he joined the Department of Food Science faculty at the University of Arkansas, where he spent his academic career. He will be best remembered as an innovative and respected scientist, contributing to major advances in improving processed vegetable quality analysis methods for research and the industry. Dr. Buescher was internationally recognized for his fermented vegetable research, which resulted in many commercially available fermented food products with improved color stability and texture. He mentored numerous graduate students and visiting scientists from around the world and was an outstanding instructor. Furthermore, Dr. Buescher was an effective contributor to international agriculture through service as project leader on several USAID projects. In this role, he educated many scientists from developing countries in food quality assessment, fresh produce shelf-life extension, and food vitamin supplementation. During the last decade of his career Dr. Buescher provided invaluable, dedicated leadership as Head of the Department of Food Science, where he effectively promoted faculty and departmental programs, which significantly enhanced the department’s national and international reputation.
Dr. Buescher landed into pickle research by visiting Atkins Pickle Company on an unplanned stop in 1978. From there, he pursued improving pickle crispness and became nationally prominent in pickled vegetable research. He made changes to the industry worldwide and is well known and respected for his research. To many, he was known as “The Pickle Man”.
He married Carol Stelma in 1983, whom he met at Summerhill Racquet Club in Fayetteville where he was an avid racquetball player. Together they had two children, Anna and Adam. Ron and his family loved to travel. They took several cruises and vacations to Florida, Michigan, and Indiana. Ron and Carol continued to travel up to his last few months of his life. They attended many educational and fun ‘Pickle Packer’s International’ meetings. Ron and Carol also went on many cruises and vacations. His favorite destinations were Alaska and Cancun, specifically, Hyatt Ziva. Ron had been learning Spanish for several years and was fluent when he traveled. Ron also loved to garden and loved sharing his knowledge with his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by siblings Bob Buescher and Janice Adamson. Surviving siblings are Arlene Wilson and Dan Buescher of Indiana. He leaves behind his wife, Carol Buescher, four children, six grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
His professional and personal guidance and insight were often sought, much appreciated, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was an amazing and brilliant man.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Ron Buescher at the Botanical Gardens in Fayetteville, AR. The official date of his celebration will be posted on his family’s social media pages.
He wanted to help provide students a path to the career he loved so much. He created the Ron Buescher Endowed Scholarship shortly before he retired from the University of Arkansas. To honor his legacy and wishes to help students, please make any memorial donations to the scholarship.
University of Arkansas Foundation
Ron Buescher Endowed Scholarship
1120 W Maple St, AFLS E 213
Fayetteville, AR 72701
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