MM1 Richard Edward Buzard, Jr., US Navy (Ret.)

Richard Buzard Jr., 70, passed away on June 5 after a brief illness. He was born on November 16, 1953, in Ft. Worth, TX, to parents Richard and Frances Buzard. The family moved to Abilene, TX, where he graduated from Cooper High School in 1972. He then attended Southwest Texas State University for two years. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1974 to 1984, returning to service in 1988 and opting for early retirement in 1996 with a total of 18 years and two months of service. He served on active duty as a member of the engineering departments of both submarine and surface fleets, attaining the rank of Machinists Mate First Class (Petty Officer First Class) and specializing in auxiliary engineering systems. Buzard earned his qualification in both submarines and as an enlisted surface warfare specialist. Among Buzard’s awards and decorations were the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal (with one star), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (with one star), a Sea Service ribbon (with two stars), a Battle “E” (Efficiency) Ribbon, and a Joint Meritorious Unit Award. Buzard held an Associate’s degree in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and he earned a BS degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Industrial Science and Technology (majoring in Facilities Management) from Colorado State University in Pueblo. He worked in a variety of positions since retiring from the Navy, including government contracting work at the Air Force Civil Engineering Center as a facilities renewable energy systems program specialist and later as the resource efficiency manager for the 81st Readiness Division of the Army Reserve at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he also qualified as a certified energy manager with the Association of Energy Engineers. In June 2022, he was named Military Veteran of the Week by the S.C. Department of Veterans Affairs. Buzard was founding president of Virtual FM LLC, a consulting firm specializing in energy efficiency and facilities management audits, benchmarking, and upgrade programs. He was an active member of the Society of American Military Engineers, the International Facilities Management Association, the Association of Energy Engineers, the Association of South Carolina Energy Managers, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and the local chapter of Trout Unlimited. Richard was a member of Northeast Presbyterian Church in Columbia and was active in the Harvest-Fellowship Discipleship Class. He was also in the Curfman’s Life Group, Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study, Dawn Treaders and was an usher. He was a self-taught dulcimer player and loved attending the Black Mountain Music Festival to meet friends and play music. Another hobby dear to him was fly fishing, and he even tied his own flies. Richard’s Catahoula hounds, Jackson and Beau, kept him busy at pet parks and were a great source of companionship. Richard was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Frances Buzard. Survivors include his sister Carol Ann Opitz and her husband Jeff of The Woodlands, TX, sister Joan Huff and her husband Chris of Midland,TX, as well as three nieces and a nephew. The Funeral Service for MM1 Buzard will be held at 12:30 o'clock on Friday, June 21st, at Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Rd, Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends prior to the service in the church atrium beginning at 12 o'clock. Burial to follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to Northeast Presbyterian Church, the Frances Buzard Food Pantry at 400 Orange Street, Abilene, TX, 79601 or to a charity of your choice.

Tributes

MM1 Richard Edward Buzard, Jr., US Navy (Ret.)

November 16, 1953 - June 5, 2024