Their story began in 1978 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where they met and began dating. Michele was studying elementary and special education, while Bob pursued a business degree with a law emphasis, along with a minor in military history through ROTC. After graduating, the couple married in January 1981 in Milwaukee and soon began a journey that would take them across the country and around the world.
Just months after their wedding, Bob was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In January 1982, the newlyweds moved to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for his first military school before heading to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for his first duty assignment.
While living in Oklahoma, Michele taught in Lawton Public Schools, working in several special education classrooms. It was also where the couple welcomed their first child, David, who was born at the Fort Sill military hospital.
Their military journey continued to take the family to new places. After returning to Aberdeen Proving Ground for Bob’s advanced officer training, the family spent more than four years in Maryland, where their daughter, Nicole, was born in Baltimore.
Later, Bob was assigned to a one-year tour in Korea. While he was overseas, Michele and the children lived in Davenport, Iowa, before the family eventually settled in the Quad Cities area near Rock Island Arsenal. And yes, Bob and Michele are happy to share this fun fact: Rock Island Arsenal really is located on an island in the middle of the Mississippi River!
Throughout each move, Michele continued finding ways to make a difference. While living in Davenport, she worked as a resource teacher, helping children with special needs succeed in their core classes. She also taught a seventh-grade math class. On the first day, she discovered that many of her students struggled with even basic addition and subtraction without calculators. By the end of the school year, many had progressed to performing basic addition, subtraction and multiplication on their own – a reminder of the difference a dedicated teacher can make.
A Career Defined by Service
Bob eventually left active duty service but continued serving in the Army Reserve, bringing the family to West Bend in 1993. His military career continued for decades, including service in Kuwait and Iraq from 2008 to 2009.
Over the course of his career, Bob served in a variety of roles and received numerous commendations, eventually retiring from the Army in 2011 as a colonel.
After his active military service, Bob also built a career in the civilian workforce, working as a warehouse supervisor in Milwaukee, a quality manager at a plastic bag manufacturer in Sussex and a material handler at an injection-molding plant in Germantown. Although he officially retired from that position in 2024, Bob still enjoys helping out as a fill-in when needed.
But for Bob and Michele, service has never been limited to a job or military uniform. It has been a way of life.
Family is at the Heart of Everything
Family has always been incredibly important to the Buehlers. They loved being involved in their children’s activities as they grew up, and today, that same enthusiasm extends to their children, their son-in-law and daughter-in-law, and their four wonderful grandchildren.
Their family even includes a feathered member: Andi, their small parrot. Bob and Michele are hoping to get Andi comfortable in her flight suit so she can eventually make a visit to Charter and meet their friends in the community.
Faith has also played a central role throughout their lives. Bob and Michele have always been active in their churches, serving on boards and teaching Sunday school. Michele served as a VBS and Sunday school director for more than 15 years, while Bob currently leads a men’s Bible study at their church. Michele has also led numerous women’s Bible studies over the years.
That commitment to faith and community has naturally become part of their life at Charter Senior Living. Together, Bob and Michele have led a Tuesday morning Bible study for fellow residents. More recently, they’ve begun sharing movies from their collection of more than 80 Christian films with anyone who would like to join them.
Giving Back in West Bend
Bob’s commitment to serving his community continues through his involvement with the Fred A. Schaefer VFW Post 1393, located right across from Charter Senior Living of West Bend. He has served as post commander and as district commander, overseeing other posts in the area. He has also had the honor of serving as the Memorial Day speaker for West Bend celebrations.
Michele is active with the Post 1393 Auxiliary, where she has served as a delegate to state and national conventions, and held leadership roles including trustee and patriotic instructor.
Bob has also been involved with the American Legion and other community organizations over the years.
For the Buehlers, though, service isn’t about titles or recognition. It’s about noticing when someone needs a hand and being willing to help.
Making a Difference at Charter
That same spirit of generosity has followed Bob and Michele into their life at Charter Senior Living.
Bob might pick up a few groceries for a fellow resident, give someone a ride to pick up medication or even take a friend to urgent care when they need help. Michele enjoys helping others with crafts and, perhaps most importantly, getting to know the people around her.
She loves meeting new residents and learning their stories. She can often be found chatting with residents and their families, checking in to see if they need anything. And when someone is having a difficult day, Michele may quietly pull them aside and offer something she knows can bring comfort: a prayer.
Of course, the Buehlers aren’t all about work and service. They make plenty of time for fun, too. Bob enjoys military books, games and movies, along with all things science fiction. One of his favorite hobbies is painting small pewter figures and using them to recreate military battles. Michele has enjoyed counted cross-stitch and other crafts over the years, and she continues to play her guitar during outdoor church services in West Bend.
At Charter, both Bob and Michele are active participants in games, activities and events throughout the community. In fact, if you’re ever wondering what’s happening at Charter, there’s a good chance the Buehlers will know.
Their story is one that spans decades, states and continents, but its heart has remained remarkably consistent: serve others, stay connected to family and faith, and always look for an opportunity to make someone’s day a little better.
That’s exactly the kind of spirit that makes a senior living community feel like home. To learn more about the Charter Senior Living of West Bend lifestyle, contact our community today.
