Frederick Stewart Buchanan

1931 - 2016

Aug. 9, 1931 ~ Jan. 24, 2016
"A man's a man for a' that"
Frederick Stewart Buchanan passed away with his loving wife and family by his side on January 24, 2016 after a 24-year struggle with Parkinson's Disease. Fred was born in Stevenston, Scotland to an Ulster Scot father and a Scots mother, Frederick Buchanan and Elizabeth Reid. He lived on the Clyde Coast of Scotland and learned to love the rush of the waves on the rocks, the call of the curlews above the sand dunes and the song of the meadowlarks on Stevenston Moor.
He left school at age 15 to apprentice at the Ardeer Explosives Factory. Among the organizations which shaped his life were the Boy Scouts and his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had the distinction of being the only LDS Priest on the West Coast of Scotland.
At the age of 17 he immigrated with his parents to the United States for religious reasons. After only 18 months in Utah, Fred returned to Scotland when he accepted an LDS call to the British Mission, serving as President of the Scottish District. After his mission he served in the US Army as a Chaplain's Assistant. Eventually, through the generosity of the "GI Bill," he enrolled at the University of Utah where he received his BA and MS degrees in history and English. After graduation he taught at Bountiful High School launching his life-long passion for teaching and learning.
On December 27, 1963, Fred married his sweetheart Rama Richards in the Salt Lake Temple. With Rama by his side, and with her undying support, Fred earned his PhD in History of Education at The Ohio State University. He was a professor of Education at the University of Toledo for three years, followed by a 26-year career at the University of Utah, where he retired as Professor Emeritus. He is published in two areas-history of education and Scottish-Mormon studies, and received awards for these writings from the Mormon History Association.
Fred's love of his homeland Scotland was deep. Rama always says she didn't realize she married a country when she married Fred. He loved teaching and reciting the poetry of Robert Burns and was quick to offer a Scottish toast or blessing. He enjoyed singing Scottish songs and playing the bagpipes-most memorably when he would march around the neighborhood to ring in the New Year. He was a member of Salt Lake Scots Pipe Band and served as co-founder and first President of the Utah Scottish Association.
Fred and Rama created a beautiful life for themselves and their five sons. He was passionate about gardening, nature, cooking and reading. He instilled in his sons the characteristics that endeared him to so many: service, faith, compassion, healthy skepticism, love of all people, hard work and a passion for all things Scottish.
He cultivated and was blessed by rich, lifelong friendships.
Fred is survived by his dear wife Rama, who was by his side until his last breath, his Buchanan Clan of five wee sons and "guid dochters": Richard (Jenny), California; Brian (Rachel), East Millcreek, Utah; Glenn (Renee) Eugene, Oregon; Alan (Laura), San Jose, California; Scott (Alicia), Sandy, Utah, and 18 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his granddaughter Emma, his three siblings William, Elizabeth Leslie and Mary Dyson and his parents.
Family and friends are invited to a memorial service on Friday, January 29, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. Viewings will be held on Thursday, January 28, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the memorial service on Friday. All services will be held at the Foothill 2nd Ward, 1930 S. 2100 E., Salt Lake City, Utah.
Special thanks to the staffs at Sunrise Care Center and Millcreek Hospice. In lieu of flowers Fred suggests that you make a contribution to the Parkinson Wellness Clinic at the University of Utah. Och Aye!