Frederick H. Buelow

Fred Buelow, a longtime resident of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2023 at the age of 94. Fred was a cherished member of the Madison community, known for his kind heart, service to his church, and dedication to his family, friends and Wisconsin sports teams.

Fred was born in 1929 in Minot, North Dakota, the eldest of five children.  He attended a one-room school house, and was the first in the area to graduate from High School and to go on to college.  He earned his Bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State in Agricultural Engineering.  He went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, and his PhD in Agricultural Engineering from Michigan State University.  Fred was a member of ROTC in college and served in the Air Force, rising to the rank of Major while in the reserves.

Fred joined the Agricultural Engineering faculty of Michigan State in 1956. He became an Assistant Dean at MSU in 1966, before coming to the University of Wisconsin in 1967 as Chairman of the Department of Agricultural Engineering.  While at Madison, Fred worked with his colleagues to gain professional accreditation for the Agricultural Engineering Department.  He especially enjoyed teaching classes and mentoring his graduate students from all over the world.

Fred was strongly connected to his church and the Downtown Kiwanis Club, serving in many leadership capacities in both.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Many of his favorite times were spent with family on a lake, tracking game, or in a hunting blind.  He could soothe any crying baby, fix anything mechanical, and teach squirmy grandchildren the secrets of fishing.

Fred will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 69 years, Lois, and their children David (Kathy) Buelow, Diane (Phil) Jemmett, Darci (Cliff) Harris, Darin (Kristine) Buelow, 7 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and his sister Lucille Buelow.  Fred was preceded in death by his brothers Ray and Gerald, his sister, Carol, and his parents Albert and Frieda.  His memory will be cherished by his extended family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have known him.

As we say farewell to Fred Buelow, let us celebrate the incredible life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.  His influence will forever be etched in our hearts.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 110 N. Whitney Way, Madison, WI 53705. Friends may call at the Cress Center, 6021 University Avenue, Madison, Thursday afternoon from 3 until 5 p.m. and at church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to Mount Olive Lutheran Church,  https://molc.us/, or the Biological Systems Engineering Fund at the University of Wisconsin Foundation, https://www.supportuw.org, “Give”, “BSE”.

Please share your memories of Fred here on his tribute wall.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406