Huber H. Buehrer

Huber H. Buehrer, 87, of Maumee passed away Sunday afternoon, August 10, 2014. He was born March 1, 1927, in Stryker, Ohio to Harry and Meta Buehrer. In 1945 he enlisted in the US Navy shortly before the end of World War II. He was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Station, near Chicago. After receiving his honorable discharge he entered The Ohio State University and earned a five year Professional Degree in Architecture, graduating first in his class in 1951. That same year he received his architectural registration in the State of Ohio and began his practice as an architect at Samborn Steketee, being the first architect to be employed by the company that eventually became SSOE. In 1953 he and his college classmate, Robert E. Stough formed Buehrer & Stough Architects & Engineers. Their first commission was the design of Chesterfield Dover School Addition in Fulton County. They remained partners for more than 31 years designing dozens of schools and churches throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Some of these projects included First Lutheran Church, Tiffin; Northwood High School; Four County JVS; Napoleon High School; Wesley United Methodist Church, Bryan; Northwest Technical College; and UT Centennial Hall (Savage Hall). Huber became a registered professional engineer in the State of Ohio in 1955 specializing in mechanical engineering. In 1958 Huber married his beloved wife Charline Miller. They were blessed with six children. Since the early 1970’s Huber had been an active member at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Maumee serving in a variety of capacities including congregational president. Huber had been active in many civic organizations including Jaycees where he served as president of the Toledo and Ohio Chapters and was the first lifetime member in the State of Ohio. He also served as president of Toledo Hearing and Speech and was a member of the Rotary Club of Maumee where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. In 2003, he was honored as a Hometown Hero by the City of Maumee and in 2011; he was named Maumee Citizen of the Year. In 2012, Huber was inducted into the Wauseon High School Academic Hall of Fame. Huber had been a member of the American Institute of Architects since the 1950’s and had served as president of the Toledo Chapter and received the Architect of the Year Award in 1998. He also served as president of the Architects Society of Ohio and was a recipient of the Architects Society of Ohio Gold Medal. The American Institute of Architects elevated Huber to Fellow status in 1995. In 2001, The Ohio State University recognized Huber as a Distinguished Alumnus in the College of Engineering. In the early 1970’s Mr. Buehrer developed a process for estimating energy usage in buildings. He was a pioneer in the field of energy analysis in buildings which allowed professionals to design and retrofit buildings to conserve energy. He provided assistance to the US Department of Energy in the area of energy conservation research. Huber trained more than 5,000 architects and engineers throughout the United States during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s in energy analysis. During this time he also authored multiple books on energy analysis. In 1984 Huber formed Buehrer Group Architecture & Engineering in Maumee. Over the past 30 years Huber designed numerous school projects including Bryan Middle School; Pettisville School; Liberty Benton High School; Buckeye Valley Middle School; West Holmes High School; Jonesville High School, Michigan; Miami East K-8 School and Graham Elementary School. Huber enjoyed woodworking throughout his entire life and could often be found in his shop constructing furniture and cabinets. When not in his shop he could be found attending one of his children’s or grandchildren’s activities. He took great pride in his family and enjoyed spending time with them at the family cottage at Clear Lake, Indiana. Surviving Huber are his six children: Scott Buehrer (Suzanne); Cynthia Smith (Gregory); Kent Buehrer (Hong); Brent Buehrer (Michelle); Brett Buehrer (Dana); Trent Buehrer (Janice) and grandchildren Brandon, Ashley, and Lindsey Smith; Grant, Drew and Cate Buehrer; Madeline, Graeme and Charlotte Buehrer; Adam and Jacob Buehrer. Huber was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Anna and Nola Buehrer and infant grandson Bradley Smith. Family and friends will be received at Coyle Funeral Home 1770 So. Reynolds Road on Thursday, August 14, 2014 from 2-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Maumee. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or to the Rotary Club of Maumee Foundation.

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Huber H. Buehrer

March 1, 1927 - August 10, 2014