Ronald Andrew Buzard passed away surrounded by family Feb. 2, 2015, after a brief illness. He was 83 years old.
Ronald Buzard was born the second of four children in Seattle June 17, 1931, to Lyman and Frances Buzard. Ron graduated from Seattle Preparatory School and completed his Catholic education at Seattle University. A career in the Air Force ignited a love of flying, and he owned two Mooney airplanes during his lifetime.
Ron’s impressive sales career started early with the family-owned Bar S and Cudahy Meats, continued into retail swimsuit sales, transitioned to real estate sales and concluded in vacation ownership. His sales accomplishments span decades: He sold lots at Holmes Harbor Golf Club, Ocean Shores and Sudden Valley in the 1960s and 1970s; he was developer of The Glen at Maple Falls; and he was integral to developing Thousand Trails and American Adventure. In the early 1980s, Ron completed a lifelong dream, opening “Buzz’s Wharf,” his own restaurant complete with a piano bar located at beautiful Bush Point on Whidbey Island.
Ron’s career culminated at Trendwest Resorts with his good friend and longtime colleague Bill Peare. Together, their team grew the company exponentially, becoming Trendwest/Worldmark shortly before going public. Ron served as the vice president of sales and broker of record, overseeing sales and real estate operations for the entire company. Ron’s integrity, mentorship and passion for customer service inspired the Ron Buzard Service Award, awarded annually to the Trendwest sales office with the highest customer satisfaction rating.
Ron loved being surrounded with family and friends. His favorite places were Whidbey Island, where he and wife Lori retired, and Maui. Some of his most treasured memories are family trips to Hawaii with his wife, daughters and grandchildren. His tight-knit group of friends — known as the “Golf Group” — used golf as an excuse to travel together several times a year, playing golf on beautiful courses and fully enjoying life. Ron was loving, wise and respected by all who knew him. He “never met a stranger,” and those fortunate enough to call him a friend were lucky indeed.
Ron loved to build things, as evidenced by his custom shop and extravagant tool collection. As soon as the sun started shining, you could find him on his John Deere mowing his beautiful lawn or driving his golf cart to and from the beach in pursuit of Dungeness crab.
Ron is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Lori Longwood Buzard; daughters, Lori Buzard Reece, Mindy Buzard Babb, Catherine Crosslin, Kelly Crosslin Frere (husband Chris); beautiful grandchildren, Isabella Babb, Gracen Babb, Bailee Frere and Brooks Frere; numerous nieces and nephews; brother, Cliff Buzard (wife Diana); and sister, Mary Coupe (husband Tom). He was preceded in death by his brother, Gene Buzard.
A memorial and remembrance for Ronald Buzard will be held at noon Friday, March 20, at St. Hubert’s Church in Langley on Whidbey Island. Reception to follow at Useless Bay Golf & Country Club.
Memorials may be made in Ron’s name to The Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation (WAIF), www.waifanimals.org
