BUHLER, JUNIOR, PAUL HENRI . Although not born near the water in Hazleton, Pennsylvania on December 7, 1933, Paul became a true Miami water baby when his extended family moved to Miami's San Marco Island when he was an infant. He grew up swimming from his dock to Miami Yacht Club, learning to sail. Paul grew to be a well-known yachtsman and perpetual regatta chairman. He graduated from The Cushman School in Miami, The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and received a degree in Architecture from Georgia Tech, where he was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity and on the swim team. After Tech, he began his service with the US Navy and was named number one on his Midshipman Cruise. He was Gunnery Officer aboard the USS Henley destroyer (DD-762) while deployed in the Mediterranean and on guard in the Suez Canal when Nasser attempted a takeover. After his navy service, he returned to Miami and joined Miami Shipbuilding Corporation, the family enterprise, once the largest employer in Dade County during World War II. He was Race Committee Chairman of Biscayne Bay Yacht Club when emissaries from the Montego Bay Yacht Club and the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club proposed a joint Miami to Montego Bay Sailing Yacht Race in the early 1960's. This developed into one of the world's great ocean racing events. In appreciation of his efforts, Paul was named an Honorary Member of the Montego Bay Yacht Club and is fondly remembered by many friends in Jamaica sailing scene. After leaving Miami Ship, he joined Thomson McKinnon Securities in Miami. He was eventually named Regional Vice President, necessitating a move to Jacksonville, Florida. He dove right into Florida Yacht Club activities, and was chairman of the South Atlantic Ocean Racing Circuit, composed of Florida Yacht Club, Savannah Yacht Club and Charleston Yacht Club. He was well-known as the owner of STARBUCK, the North Sea sailboat that set the speed record racing from Jacksonville to St. Augustine. He was incoming Commodore of Florida Yacht Club when asked to return to Miami. He retired as manager of Prudential Securities. Paul served on the boards of Eastridge Retirement Village and the Florida Securities Dealers for many years. He was a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club, the Miami Club, Coral Reef Yacht Club, as well as Biscayne Bay and Florida Yacht Clubs. He was a Life Member of Miami Yacht Club. He was chosen as Chairman of the Columbus Day Regatta upon the retirement of founder Timothy J. Sullivan. In recent years he had been in ill health and crossed the final finish line on December 15, 2012. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul Henri and Mafalda (Muffie) Buhler, uncles Theodore and Jean Emil Buhler, and his two younger brothers, Emil II and C. Peter Buhler. He is survived by his daughter Pamela Buhler Cox, her husband Corbitt, sons C.J. (Breanne) and Garrett; son Paul Henri Buhler III and granddaughter Julieanne Barbara Buhler, as well as many extended family members. Funeral services have been held. Remembrances can be made to Shake-A-Leg, for aspiring sailors, 2620 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. Call 305-858-5550 or email: harry@shakealegmiami.org
Published in Miami Herald on December 17, 2012
