Robert Eigil Buschmann

Robert Eigil Buschmann died peacefully in Lynnwood, WA, on Thursday morning, April 18, 2013, only a few months short of his 100 birthday.The eldest son of Eigil Buschmann and Nora Trogstad, Robert was born in Seattle on August 25, 1913. Both parents were of pioneering Norwegian families. The Buschmann family was prominent in the Alaskan salmon industry. Peter Buschmann, Roberts grandfather, founded Petersburg, Alaska in 1898. His son Eigil, Roberts father, managed Waterfall Cannery for many years. Roberts first love was always the business of salmon and the world of Alaska, where he spent many years of his life. He was known as an expert skier and mountaineer, and serious aviation buff. At 17, he became one of the youngest pilots to solo at Boeing Field in Seattle, obtaining a license to fly in 1931.Robert grew up in the Seattle area and graduated from Highline High School. He later attended Hill Military Academy and the University of Washington. Robert is survived by two daughters from his first marriage to Helen Agnes Hewitt of Seattle: Christie Helen Hammond of Whidbey Island and Mary Lee Dennison of Bothell, WA; and two daughters from his second marriage to Louise Helen Edmunds of Portland, OR: Karen Udlock of Mead, WA, and Cathrine Hartwell of Sedona, Arizona.