In Memory | Quest Engineering

In Memory of Carson

Robert "Carson" Buchner

July 30, 1997 - July 15, 2020

He graduated from Maclay High School in 2016 and was a recent honors graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Chemical Engineering.

A Beautiful Life

Imagine that you could have had the privilege of being Robert Carson Buchner’s father.

If you knew him, and you probably did if you are here or watching, then you knew what a beautiful person he was. You know first-hand that he was brilliantly smart and accomplished, fascinated with life and everything in it, incredibly compassionate and kind, loving and forgiving.

If you did not know Carson personally then you had to endure an even longer list of attributes because he and his three brothers are the greatest gifts in mine and Tina’s life and all I ever talked about.

Imagine having a son as accomplished as Carson in sports, life and school, graduate from college and come home to work side by side with you. Then almost every evening engaging you in playing pickleball, basketball or just tending the garden. Then on weekends usually going on a fishing trip but never less than a game of frisbee golf.

Imagine that and thousands of other past moments with this son. He was a happy boy, a wonderful man and a loving friend. He loved life and everything in it. He truly reveled though, in his friends and family and was always there for all of us and all of you.

Carson lived a beautiful life.

I don’t have to imagine having a son like that. I had that with Carson. His mother and I were privileged to have had that with Carson.

The pain we feel now seems unbearable. Because we lived our life as a family, centered around each other, there is no part of it; nothing that we can see, feel or do that does not include our precious, precious son Carson. The shock of his death seemingly ripped everything from me. Total pain and despair replaced everything in my life in waves of grief that slammed us to the ground like a large unseen ocean wave that pins you to the sand and you wonder if you will ever be released to the surface to breathe again. Then, then your gracious God, who appointed this time sends one of you, one of you, to plunge your hand into the depths to grasp our hand to lift us up and hold our heads above the waves so we can breathe. Not only do you give us air but because you are there as a light, we can see a future.

Imagine now that you still had your lost son. Despair would be replaced with hope and happiness. I realize I can still be a blessed man even in despair. I am blessed because I still have 3 of the finest men I know as my sons.

William Bryant Buchner

John Edward Buchner

David Hudson Buchner

They are all comforts and beautiful members of Tina and my lives who show us the hope and happiness of tomorrow.

Incredibly I have learned that despair and happiness are not mutually exclusive.

Incredibly I have learned that despair and happiness are not mutually exclusive; that they coexist. I can have one with the other. I can be so happy to see a friend of mine or a friend of Carson’s, even during my incredible grief.

Thank you all for being there with Carson and here with us. Never, never be timid to talk about Carson as it will make us happy even in our grief.

Someone as fine as Carson should never be taken from this world. His beautiful life made everyone happier and the world a better place. His legacy is those of us who were, are and will be evermore touched by him.

I ask you to consider doing something. I ask you to put aside a memento of Carson where you can see it every now and then and write on it four simple words:

BE KIND LIKE CARSON

Kindness was his greatest attribute. His kindness and gentleness were innate, always there from birth; but he cultivated it always through his love of others, his love for you. Practice kindness to those you love, to those friends you have. It made Carson’s presence in our lives so wonderful and his life so beautiful.

Tina and I cannot do this alone without each other and without you.

Thank you.