Robert Kyle Buschke

Robert “Kyle” Buschke, 66, of Heppner died, Monday, December 25, 2023 at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Heppner after a three-year struggle with Cancer. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the Heppner Elks Lodge with a meal to follow. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. at the Heppner Masonic Cemetery.

He was born December 3, 1957 at Heppner, the son of Delmer and Judy (Wright) Buschke. He was raised and attended school in Heppner where he graduated in 1976. He continued his education at Mt. Hood Community College and became an Automotive Machinist. He worked in that capacity for many years in the Portland area.

He was a hard worker and started working at a young age delivering newspapers, mowing lawns, and when he turned 16, he went to work for Cal and Bev Sherman at their service station in Heppner. Kyle learned excellent work ethics from Calvin as well as from his parents. In 2007 Kyle had the opportunity to go to Port Lions, Alaska on Kodiak Island. He loved the outdoors and lived for hunting and fishing, so this sounded like living his dream, and it was. He spent eight wonderful years in Port Lions. He worked for Dock and Deb Kennedy at Wilderness Beach Lodge doing maintenance on the fishing boats, and jack of all trades at the lodge and fished to his heart’s content. Kyle also worked for the City of Port Lions public works during these years. He ran all kinds of equipment for the city. The Kennedy’s sold the Lodge and Kyle worked for the new owners for a while, but in 2015 he returned to Heppner to help his mother Judy care for his father who was suffering with Parkinsons.

Kyle made many friends while in Alaska and still kept in touch with all of them. After returning to Heppner, he worked driving trucks for Krome for a couple years and then went to work for SilverCreek as a truck driver and remained there until December of 2020 when he was diagnosed with cancer and had to retire. Kyle loved working at SilverCreek and reconnected with many Heppner families he had known growing up.

Deer and elk hunting were what he loved, and he looked forward to hunting camp, every year. He started hunting deer and elk when he was very young with his brothers, Mike and Scott, and their dad’s hunting group; Doyle Key, Matt Hughes, Howard and Jo Pettyjohn, Dan James, Cecil Rill, and of course all of their kids. And in later years he and his brother Scott continued to hunt together. Even this year while suffering through cancer treatments he was still making list of things to take to hunting camp.

Kyle was a 45-year member of the Heppner Elks and supported the Elks until his death.

He never married or had children, but happily shared in raising his nieces and nephews. He loved them and was very proud of all of them.

Survivors include his mother Judy of Heppner, brothers; Mike of Colton, Scott (Lori) of Estacada, aunt Joyce Ward of Heppner, 12 nieces and nephews, and his best friend Rick Williams (Tia), and numerous cousins. Also, many friends and classmates.

Kyle was preceded in death by; his father Delmer, grandparents, Max and Grace Buschke and Joe and Maryette Wright, uncle Glen Ward, aunt Joan Grey (Dale), aunt Carole Shipps, and his best furry friend, Bandit.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 9, Heppner, OR 97836 or to Heppner BPOE #358, PO Box 494, Heppner, OR 97836.

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