[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1660-E1661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING FRANK AND ROSSIE BUCHTEL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 21, 2004

  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Frank and 
Rossie Buchtel of Princeton, MO. It's been 40 years since the

[[Page E1661]]

Buchtels retired from teaching, and they're still going strong. Frank 
turned 100 on July 2, and he and Rossie celebrated their 75th wedding 
anniversary on August 26. In light of these important milestones, the 
Rotary Club in Princeton is renaming its scholarship in honor of Frank. 
Additionally, Mercer County, MO, has designated September 28, 2004, as 
a day to honor both Frank and Rossie Buchtel.
  Rossie's family had long been established in the area when Frank 
accepted a teaching and coaching position in Princeton in 1927. 
Rossie's parents were long-time Princeton residents, and her 
grandparents were pioneer citizens of Mercer County. Frank had an 
immediate impact on Princeton though, as he coached the Princeton 
football Tigers to an undefeated season in 1928. After that 
unbelievable season, Frank probably thought that life couldn't get much 
better, but he soon fell in love with Rossie; they were married in 
1929. Shortly after their wedding, the Buchtels set out for 
Scottsbluff, NE, where Frank had accepted a coaching job at the junior 
college. Every summer, the Buchtels would venture to Evanston, IL, 
where Frank earned his master's degree at Northwestern University. In 
1930, their daughter Barbara was born.
  In 1936 Frank was appointed athletic director at Aurora College in 
Illinois. During the 5 years that Frank served as athletic director, 
Rossie completed her AB degree. Rossie's passion for library science, 
which she developed in Aurora, later led her to a graduate degree in 
the field at the University of Chicago.
  In the fall of 1941, Frank, Rossie, and Barbara moved to Chicago 
Heights, IL. Frank served as coach and athletic director Bloom Township 
High School for the next 27 years, while Rossie was a librarian at a 
nearby school. Barbara graduated from Bloom and then DePauw University 
during these years. Barbara later married Elmer Duerst, and Frank and 
Rossie became proud grandparents of Dan and Debra, Barbara and Elmer's 
two children. In 1964, Frank and Rossie retired from their respective 
careers to settle in Princeton.
  Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Frank and 
Rossie Buchtel, two remarkable citizens of Northwest Missouri who so 
exemplify the qualities of dedication and service. I am honored to call 
Frank and Rossie Buchtel constituents of Missouri's Sixth District.

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