Irmengarde S. Buehler

Irmengarde (Barbara) S. Buehler

March 10, 1933 – June 16, 2024

Bowie, MD 

On Sunday, June 16, 2024, Irmengarde Buehler passed away in her home, just 3 short weeks after the passing of Richard, her husband of 69 years. Known to all as Barbara, she had a gift for engaging with everyone she encountered with deep interest and understanding. 

Born on March 10, 1933 in New York City to Wally (Mattman) and Albert Schieber. Barbara grew up in Manhattan, where she made full use of the benefits that city life provided. She could be found skating at Rockefeller Center, feeding the squirrels in Central Park, and spending hours on her own wandering through the library and the art museum. She combined a keen interest in learning with an underlying fondness for playful mischief, the latter often in conspiracy with her father. 

Barbara manned the ticket window during summers in her father’s German movie theater in Brooklyn. It was there that she met and began dating her future life companion, Richard Buehler. In October of 1952, Richard was drafted into the army. Unwilling to leave their love up to chance, they became engaged before he left for camp, maintaining a connection through tender letters to each other. 

Barbara attended Seton Hill College, a Catholic college in Pennsylvania. She embraced her studies and campus life, joining the German, Math, Art, and Music Clubs. However, much to the chagrin of the nuns, she still found time for playing pranks on fellow students and roller skating in the halls of the convent. She graduated in the spring of 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Art. 

Richard was discharged in September of 1954, and they pledged their love to each other in marriage on June 4, 1955. Barbara worked doing statistical analysis for NY Life and later for Bell Telephone Labs until raising a family became her primary focus.

Together, Richard and Barbara had five children: Barbara, Deborah, Richard, Michael and Caroline. Barbara was a dedicated mother intent on providing full lives for her children. She encouraged their pursuits by volunteering in a variety of capacities: treasurer for sports and orchestra organizations, managing peanut and cookie sales, serving in various positions in the PTA, and driving many miles as chauffeur to the numerous activities. Her creative outlet transitioned from beautiful original oil paintings to sewing clothes for her children and their dolls (best dressed Barbie dolls ever). After she took classes in cake decorating, she found herself being volunteered for every class party with very high expectations. 

As her children became adults, Barbara rejoined the workforce. Initially she worked as an office manager for a real estate company, but eventually she joined the National Security Agency where she learned computer programming and provided IT support. Government jobs at the time always had many benefits, but the most welcome one was that she now was working in the same location as Richard. They commuted together, spent lunchtime together, went for a daily walk around the entire complex together, and eventually retired together. 

Retirement meant more than not having to go to work. Barbara and Richard kept quite active with square dancing, cruises, and other travel. Every year they made several trips to Hilton Head Island where they could be seen crisscrossing the island on a tandem bike together. At home, Barbara enjoyed her backyard birds and hand-feeding the squirrels, piecing together jigsaw puzzles with thousands of pieces, and spending time with family. The grandchildren reveled in Grandma’s mischievous side, often conspiring with her to play tricks on Grandpa or their parents. 

Barbara is preceded in death by her devoted husband, Richard, her parents, Albert and Wally, and her sister Klara. She is survived by her five children Barbara (James), Deborah (Metro), Richard (Lynn), Michael (Sheri), and Caroline (John); her 10 grandchildren, Christina (Frank), Elizabeth (Daniel), Nikki, Alex, Sarah (Jonathan), Christopher (Ramsey), Erich, Amy (Jon), Michael, and Ryan; her 6 great grandchildren, Declan, Dax, Nell, Charlotte, Logan, and Sam; her nieces Maggie (Steve) and Diana (Peter); and her nephew Steven (Liisa). A very special thank you to Sylvia and Vida who provided Barbara with songs, laughs, and loving care over the last few years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to either the American Heart Association or St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3300 Moreland Place, Bowie, MD 20715.