Doyle Wild Buckwalter
1938 – 2023
Doyle Wild Buckwalter, 85, our beloved father, graduated from this life on December 31, 2023 surrounded and supported by family. He will be remembered for his wisdom, loving guidance, wonderful story-telling, hard work, and service. He was a true example of what it is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We love and miss him greatly!
Doyle was born to Morris Binns and Thelma Gardner Buckwalter on Feb. 28, 1938 in Rigby, Idaho.
He spent his formative years in Oregon, graduating from La Grande High School in 1956. As a young man, Doyle was actively involved in high school athletics, student government, and community affairs. He participated in the Model United Nations, and was honored to serve as Boy Governor for the State of Oregon during his senior year. These early experiences shaped his lifelong love for public service. His summers were spent on the family’s ranches in Montana and Utah where he further developed his strong work ethic.
Doyle served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the West German Mission (1958-1961). This was a defining period of his life, which he carried forward in a lifetime of service to the Lord and fellowman.
After his mission, Doyle returned to Brigham Young University where he completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science. While at BYU, a blind date arranged by a mutual friend, introduced Doyle to the love of his life, Sondra Laurel Harmon. After a whirlwind courtship, the two were sealed in marriage on July 20,1962 in the Manti Utah Temple. Their marriage was blessed with four children.
Doyle attended the University of Michigan, graduating with a PhD in political science in 1968. This led him back to BYU, where his career as a professor brought him great joy and allowed him to have a deep impact in the lives of his students and the communities they would go on to serve. In the early 1970s, as a founding faculty member of the Master of Public Administration degree program at BYU, Doyle worked tirelessly to prepare students for careers in public service at all levels of government, but especially in city and county management. He was a gifted teacher in the classroom. Perhaps his greatest impact came through the passion and effort he put into helping students secure internships and job opportunities, aiding the launch of so many careers. That legacy continues long after his retirement in 2000, through a scholarship his former students created in his name.
He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and steadfastly served in countless callings throughout his life. From 2008-2010 he and Sondra served as Senior Missionaries at the Historic Kirtland Visitor Center. Most recently he enjoyed serving as Stake Patriarch.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, his parents, a sister, Diana Jean Buckwalter, and a brother, Ray Buckwalter. He is survived by his siblings Morris Buckwalter, Dolores Banton, Adele Blackburn, and Briant Buckwalter.
His living posterity includes: Kristen (Ron) Bartholomew of Orem, UT; Beth (David) Schulte of Kokomo, IN; Wayne (Becky) Buckwalter of Orem, UT; Neal (Lynnette) Buckwalter of Grand Rapids, MI; 18 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.