Obituary of Fredrick Don Buslach

Fredrick Don Buslach passed away peacefully at home among family members on November 12, 2023 at the age of 91. He was born to Arthur and Eva Buslach on August 16, 1932, and was raised in Washougal, Washington among a large extended family with roots that trace back to

the earliest European immigrants in the area. Fred earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a teenager and graduated from Washougal High School in 1951. He received his associates degree in machining from Clark College in 1953. Later that year, Fred enlisted in the US military and served as a machinist at the end of the Korean Conflict, until he was honorably discharged from service in 1956.

On November 23, 1957, Fred married Marian Hagensen. Fred and Marian remained happily married for over six decades, and together had four children, daughters Sally and Betty of Camas, and sons Kenneth and Joseph of Vancouver. Several years into their marriage, Fred built their family home in Vancouver where they resided for over 40 years. Fred worked as a journeyman machinist, maintenance mechanic, and supervisor at Nabisco in Portland, Oregon for over 30 years until his retirement. He remained a tinkerer and devoted lover of cookies throughout his life.

Fred’s skills as a fixer extended beyond his professional life, and he could often be found constructing, repairing, or (supposedly) improving items. He was generous with his abilities, spending countless hours working on projects for friends, family members, and his church. The hero of many children in his life, Fred was always willing to help build a soapbox derby car or a model for a class project, and restored innumerable beloved toys to working order. What he couldn’t fix with wood, nails, or glue he mended with a generous helping of ice cream. Fred was a lively person who loved to spend time outdoors and had a great appreciation for nature. He enjoyed hiking, camping, picking berries, and especially fishing. Along with his wife Marian, he was active at his church, Immanuel Lutheran, a longtime member of the Good Sam Club, and volunteered annually at Holden Village Lutheran renewal center. Fred was also gentle, peaceful, and lighthearted with a great fondness for humor. He loved telling jokes, singing silly songs, and had a perpetual playful glimmer in his eye–he was eager to laugh and always ready with a punchline or harmless prank. Near the end of his life he enjoyed watching the birds and other critters outside of his home and playing card games with his dedicated caregivers, who doted on him and worked tirelessly alongside his family to make him comfortable through his last years.

Fred was preceded in death by his father Arthur and mother Eva, his wife Marian, his two brothers Robert and Lewis, and many brothers- and sisters-in-law. He is survived by his four children, Sally Buslach, Betty (Gene) Dietzen, Ken Buslach, and Joe (Eileen) Buslach, seven grandchildren, Chris (Jessica) Guard, Teresa Guard, Katie (Jacob) Benson, Carlea Buslach, Ian Buslach, Jacob (Desiree) Buslach, and Nathan Buslach; five great-grandchildren, Payten, Kenny, and Maebry Benson, Malia Adams, and Asher Meek; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A service for Fred will be held on December 16, 2023 at 11:00 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, and can be attended remotely via livestream. For more information regarding the service, visit immanuelvancouver.org.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Vancouver, WA.