In loving memory of

Francis (Boo) Murray Buchheit
January 6, 1951 - August 28, 2022



Murray (Boo) Buchheit, age 71, of Ames, died on August 28, 2022, at Mary Greeley Medical Center, in Ames, Iowa. A gathering of friends and family will be 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 2, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa, followed by a 3:00 p.m. Celebration of Life service at Grandon. After the service, please join Boo's family at the American Legion, 225 Main Street, Ames, Iowa.

Francis Murray Buchheit, the 6th generation family member with the name Francis, was born January 6, 1951, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Francis William and Loretta (Thompson) Buchheit. He graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf and then came to Ames and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Liberal Studies. In 1983, he married Kris Mangels and the couple made their home in Ames. In 1995 Kris and Boo were joined by the love of their life, Alexander Mangels Buchheit. Boo worked at Universal Harvester in Ames starting in college, where he moved up in the company and became the Production Manager. Eventually Boo and his partner bought the business. When his partner was ready to retire, they sold the business to Artsway, and Boo reluctantly retired in 2014.

Boo loved to get a line wet fishing every chance he had, and later became a woodcarver. He was an avid Iowa State Fan and an even bigger fan of the Chicago Cubs. When his favorite (and only) son left his parents to go to college, he and Kris became Parrot Heads as he and Kris suddenly had a bunch of spare time on their hands. Boo loved his Parrot Head friends and always enjoyed their monthly socials when he was able to attend. Boo always appreciated fine wine, and in recent years, developed a habit of tequila before dinner and bourbon after dinner. Boo would want his family and friends to continue enjoying the good stuff in his honor.

Boo is survived by his wife, Kris Mangels, and their son, Alex Buchheit, his father, Francis "Bill" Buchheit, sisters, Beth (Joe) Ackerman, Lisa (Steve) Williams, sister-in-law, Lisa (Pat) Volk and brother-in-law, Eric (Julie) Mangels, and nieces and nephews. Also left to miss Boo are his 4-legged buddies--Diesel, Lillie, and Izzy.

Boo was preceded in death by his mother, Lorretta Buchheit, and a sister, Cathy.

Memorials may be directed to Ames Animal Shelter or Animal Rescue League. Even though Kris was usually the person bringing home yet another dog, Boo was a big softie and always had his special girl.

Online condolence may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com


Tributes

Bill and Bonnie Claassen wrote on Sep 23, 2022:

"Kris, Alex and family. I started ISU in 1970 with a large contingent of my high school friends and met Boo in 1973 in Ames, through mutual friends. Boo fit right in with our group and expanded a very close knit group of life long friends. He was one in a million, extremely friendly, funny, foosball professional and smart. I?ll never forget his good humor or the intensity of his eyes.....I?ll also never forget the intensity of his faithful sidekick, Fred?s eyes either, during that time. I graduated in 1974, but stayed at ISU for another 1.5 years, graduating again in 1976. I came back to Ames once in awhile after moving to Peoria. I recall one trip back to Ames in particular. Boo was playing softball or baseball at the 13th Ave complex west of of the creek. I pulled up just before the ambulance arrived to take boo to the hospital. His ankle was not where it was supposed to be after sliding into home. Boo moved back to LeClaire to recuperate after that and since I was just down the road in Peoria, I came up to wet lines on the big river. Fishing just across from the nuclear plant, we brought in a paddle fish doing a poor backstroke on the surface....how appropriate, catching a pre historic fish outside of a nuclear plant.... another event that would bring smiles to Boo was the morning after a wild game feed party I had at our house in Peoria, when Fred and my dog, Cadence, suddenly got up and left the room we were sitting in......we continued to share time together through the years, but not as frequently as in the 70s. Boo and many of our ISU gang got together in 2010 and 2012, traveling to our fish camp in Ontario. A special place for special friends to share old memories and act like it?s the 70s, again. Old, special friends are to be remembered and cherished that way, as Boo is by so, so, many. Bonnie and are very sorry for your loss. Bill and Bonnie claassen, Waterloo, Iowa."

Mike Harvey wrote on Sep 20, 2022:

"Kris and Family, I was very sorry to hear of Boo's passing. Boo was one of a great group of friends back in the 70's in Ames, and I have fond memories of time spent with him. (I just remembered that he helped me get a job at Universal Harvester while attending ISU.) As everyone parted ways after college, we naturally lost touch. But I was fortunate to see Boo again at a mini reunion in 2002 and go fishing with him in Ontario in 2012. Although I saw very little of him in the last 40 or so years, Boo was a good friend and I miss him. My sincere condolences to you and your family."

Faith bremmer wrote on Aug 31, 2022:

"Gonna miss my cousin"

Faith bremmer wrote on Aug 31, 2022:

"Gonna miss my cousin"

Tom Shirk wrote on Aug 30, 2022:

"Boo was one of my favorites at Pleasant Valley High School. So many great memories. One of my best memories was when he and I sang Johnny and June Carter Cash?s song Daddy Sang Bass, Momma sang tenor ? at a Variety Shirk in 1969. But he was a bass and I was a tenor so we switched the roles. Boo singing as a bass in momma?s clothes and I was in Osh Kosh overalls singing tenor. It was a big hit and so much fun! I wish his wife Kris all of Gods blessings. I am blessed with have been his friend! "