Robert Adolph Buenzli

Buenzli, Robert A. 89, of St. Petersburg, died Monday, August 29, 2011, at home under the care of hospice and the Granny Nannies. He came here in 1923 from native Knoxville, TN. He was a graduate of St. Petersburg High School and the University of Florida. He served in the US Army Air Corp during World War II and continued to serve with the US Air Force in the reserves where he retired as a Lt. Colonel. During WWII, he served in the European Theatre where he flew 101 missions as a P-47 pilot. Some of his missions were to provide air cover for General George Patton. He also flew three successful fighter missions on D-Day during the invasion of Normandy. He worked for over 50 years for Jack Steeley Realty as a Realtor, Mortgage Broker and Real Estate Appraiser. He was Christian. He married his childhood sweet heart, Jacqueline "Jackie" Steeley on June 2, 1945 at Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg. He was a very active member of the community having served as a President of St. Petersburg Civitan Club where he was a member for over 50 years and recipient of the Civitan of the Year award. He also served on the board of the Civitan Beach Club for many years. He was also a member of the Suncoaster's and enjoyed where he served as a band host. He was a member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club for over 60 years and was a former member of the Buckateers. He was a member of the Women's Service League Best Groomed Hall of Fame. He was also a proud member of the NRA. Fondly known as "Mr. Fix It", Bob was a friend and helper to everyone. He and his late wife, Jackie, were active in the social circles of St. Petersburg where it was often said the party didn't start until the Buenzlis arrived. Bob and Jackie made giving part of their social life, fund raising for numerous causes and charities. As his daughter stated "everybody knew them, everybody loved them." He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Michelle B. and Richard L. Hilburn, St. Petersburg, FL; his devoted friend, Carol Sue Stephens; a sister-in-law, Ruth Buenzli of Melbourne, FL, and her children Edward (Ellen) Buenzli, Rockledge, FL and Gail (Wayne) Marino, Davie, FL; and the children of his sister, Mary Wittmeyer, who passed away last October; Robert (Ruth) Whittmeyer, Orlando, FL, Nancy (Ted) Whisenant, Sparta, GA, and Joyce (Jeff) Brown, Dallas, GA. There will be a public visitation on Tuesday, September 6th, from 5:00 - 6:30 PM at Anderson-McQueen, 2201-Dr. M.L. King Street North, St. Petersburg where a Funeral Service will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, September 7th, to be followed by a reception and concluded with graveside services with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to All Children's Hospital, the Salvation Army, or the Suncoast Hospice Foundation.