Samuel Keith Buchmeyer

Sam was born in Overton, Texas to Dollie Perry and Leroy A. Buchmeyer on April 12, 1934. He lived and was educated in Texarkana, Texas until his high school graduation in 1952. He attended Kilgore Junior College on a full football scholarship and graduated Valedictorian in 1954. Sam received his degree in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. While there he was inducted into Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society. He received a Master’s degree in electrical engineering from The University of Wichita in Wichita, Kansas. After his graduation and marriage to Anita Kennington, his military service sent him to Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. Sam’s illustrious engineering career began with Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas and continued until his retirement from Collins Radio in Richardson, Texas which later became Rockwell International. He was one of three engineers recognized for his contributions in the area of communications for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space flights. During his engineering career he received 3 patents. After his retirement from Rockwell, he worked part time in an engineering “think tank”. Full retirement took Sam and Anita to Holly Lake Ranch in 1997 where they lived until 2015. While there Sam played tennis and helped rebuild the tennis program. In between matches he volunteered for CASA, fished with grandchildren, enjoyed woodworking, did a little traveling and a lot of volunteering. Sam was a life long Methodist with memberships in Hardy Memorial Church in Texarkana, Axe United Methodist in Garland, and Hawkins United Methodist Church in Hawkins. He was a Biblical scholar and taught Sunday School for 40 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his loving family including his wife of 66 years, Anita; daughters, Melissa McIntire (David) of Tyler, Laura Taylor (Rob) of Arlington; and his son, Samuel C. (Kim) of Arlington; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sam is also survived by his loving sister, Winnie Beck. Our family wishes to express our sincere gratitude and affection for the outstanding and loving staff at Primrose Memory Care Facility, Brookdale South Memory Care, and especially to Heart to Heart Hospice nurse Brandi Feil and caregiver Vanessa. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Rose Lawn Columbarium with Rev. Gerry Giles officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. If desired, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County, 3531 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler, TX 75701(https://alzalliance.org) or Heart to Heart Hospice, 7925 S. Broadway, Suite 1140, Tyler, TX 75703 (https://hearttohearthospice.com).

Samuel Keith Buchmeyer

April 12, 1934 - February 28, 2023