Gerald Buchman
Gerald H. “Jerry” Buchman, 84, of Pleasant Prairie, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, marking the end of another era. Born in Kenosha on June 2, 1930, he was the son of the late Valentine and Henrietta (Hubert) Buchman. He was educated in local schools and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School. On March 7, 1953, he married Marjorie Gaskill in Kenosha. Jerry was a legend, not only in the eyes of his family, but in the eyes of the hot rod world. He started out his painting career painting Peter Pirsch fire engines, and did so for many years, all the while being a huge competitor in old drag racing. He built from the ground up a ’41 Willys that was something to be reckoned with in its hay day. His painting skills and body work became known in his circle in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and he quickly became one of the most sought after street rod painters in not just the Midwest, but across the country. It’s not every day one gets approached by Willie G. Davidson to “chop” and paint a ’46 panel truck or “Big Daddy” Don Garlits to do some work on a rail car. He was a perfectionist and it showed in his body work, painting and everyday life. After retiring from Peter Pirsch & Sons, he and his wife moved to Colorado in the mid ‘70s and built a log home by hand, one of his lifelong dreams. In 1986, they moved back to Kenosha. He seemed to know everyone, sometimes up to three generations. He and all of his old cronies were inducted into “The Legends Hot Rod Association” in 2000. He had one hell of a run and can now do big burn outs at the strip in the sky. Survivors include two daughters, Danette Beiser of Pleasant Prairie and Amy (Dennis Hoff) Fabiano of Kenosha; three grandchildren, Erica (Walter Stanz) Beiser, Joshua Beiser and Angelina Fabiano; and five great-grandchildren, Riley, Tyler, Rayelle, McKenna and Charlee. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie; a son Jeffery; and two sons-in-law, Rick Beiser and Frank Fabiano, Jr. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 6th, at Proko Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Interment will be private. Proko Funeral Home & Crematory 5111-60th Street Kenosha, WI 53144 Phone: (262) 654-3533 Visit Jerry’s Online Memorial Book at: www.prokofuneralhome.comObituary
Gerald H. “Jerry” Buchman, 84, of Pleasant Prairie, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, marking the end of another era. Born in Kenosha on June 2, 1930, he was the son of the late Valentine and Henrietta (Hubert) Buchman. He was educated in local schools and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School. On March 7, 1953, he married Marjorie Gaskill in Kenosha. Jerry was a legend, not only in the eyes of his family, but in the eyes of the hot rod world. He started out his painting career painting Peter Pirsch fire engines, and did so for many years, all the while being a huge competitor in old drag racing. He built from the ground up a ’41 Willys that was something to be reckoned with in its hay day. His painting skills and body work became known in his circle in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and he quickly became one of the most sought after street rod painters in not just the Midwest, but across the country. It’s not every day one gets approached by Willie G. Davidson to “chop” and paint a ’46 panel truck or “Big Daddy” Don Garlits to do some work on a rail car. He was a perfectionist and it showed in his body work, painting and everyday life. After retiring from Peter Pirsch & Sons, he and his wife moved to Colorado in the mid ‘70s and built a log home by hand, one of his lifelong dreams. In 1986, they moved back to Kenosha. He seemed to know everyone, sometimes up to three generations. He and all of his old cronies were inducted into “The Legends Hot Rod Association” in 2000. He had one hell of a run and can now do big burn outs at the strip in the sky. Survivors include two daughters, Danette Beiser of Pleasant Prairie and Amy (Dennis Hoff) Fabiano of Kenosha; three grandchildren, Erica (Walter Stanz) Beiser, Joshua Beiser and Angelina Fabiano; and five great-grandchildren, Riley, Tyler, Rayelle, McKenna and Charlee. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie; a son Jeffery; and two sons-in-law, Rick Beiser and Frank Fabiano, Jr. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 6th, at Proko Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Interment will be private. Proko Funeral Home & Crematory 5111-60th Street Kenosha, WI 53144 Phone: (262) 654-3533 Visit Jerry’s Online Memorial Book at: www.prokofuneralhome.com
Events
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
KENOSHA, WI 53144