Elder Carl W. Buehner, formerly second counselor
in the Presiding Bishopric of the
Church, died November 11, 1974, in Salt Lake City.
He had served as counselor to Presiding Bishop Joseph
L. Wirthlin from April 6, 1952, to September 30, 1961.
Following his release from the Presiding Bishopric,
he was called to serve as a member of the general superintendency of the
Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association and later as a Regional Representative
of the Twelve.
The First Presidency issued the following tribute
to Brother Buehner:
“The Church has lost one of its noblemen and the
State of Utah one of its leading citizens in the passing of Carl W. Buehner.
“Brother Buehner influenced hundreds of thousands
of lives for good through his leadership as a member of the Presiding Bishopric,
the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association general superintendency,
as a Regional Representative of the
Twelve, stake president, and as president of the Great Salt Lake Council,
Boy Scouts of America.
“He was a leader of great warmth, a man of the people,
and a fearless defender of the faith. Few could match him as a speaker
to youth, with his inspirational stories and his down-to-earth application
of gospel principles.
“Brother Buehner also distinguished himself as a
successful businessman, community builder, and, most importantly, as a
devoted husband and father.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Lucille, his
loyal companion of many years, and to his family.”
Brother Buehner was born December 27, 1898, in Stuttgart,
Germany, a son of Carl F. and Anna Bertha Giegle Buehner. He moved to Salt
Lake City with his family and attended public schools there. He later attended
the Chicago Institute of Technology.
He was actively involved in a number of family-owned
businesses and was candidate for governor of Utah in 1968.
Before his call to the Presiding Bishopric, Brother
Buehner served as second counselor, first counselor, and bishop of the
Forest Dale Ward and later as high councilor, second counselor, first counselor,
and president of the Salt Lake Granite
Stake. He also served as a member of the General Church Welfare Committee.
For service to the youth of the Church he was named
an Honorary Master M-Man and received the Silver Beaver Award from the
Boy Scouts of America.
He was survived by his wife, one son, two daughters,
22 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Elder Buehner's widow, Lucille Thurman Buehner, followed
him in death in 1983.
