Father Bueter forged formidable legacy at Lexington Catholic

By Linda Harvey
 
The deep imprint left on Lexington Catholic High School by a former president, Jesuit Father Robert J. Bueter, was more apparent than ever in the days following his death. Father Bueter, who died Dec. 2 at the age of 77, served a principal of Lexington Catholic from 1990-91 and as president from 1991-99.
 “His legacy is everyplace in the school, not only in the gym that is named after him but with the students, faculty, staff and what he built here,” said Cindy Hamm, who is chair of the Lexington Catholic Board. “When he showed up at events, there was excitement in the air. He loved being around students, and we have a football team because of him. Father Bueter established the character of what it meant to go to a Catholic school. I feel I am a better person because our paths crossed and he had an impact on me for sure.”
 “When I arrived in Lexington to begin my position as president of Lexington Catholic in June, 2019, my first order of business was to meet with Father Bueter and ask him partner with me,” said Sandra R. Young. “I knew from the start that his passion for Lexington Catholic was true and deep. He shared wonderful stories about the school, made me laugh, and agreed to work alongside me.”
Young added, “His mentorship, although brief, was so valuable to me. I will dearly miss our daily interaction. His legacy will continue to be celebrated for years to come.”
Father Bueter, also known as “Bob”, was born on July 2, 1942 in Oil City, and raised in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He entered the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus in 1960, was ordained on June 16, 1973, in Cincinnati, and took final vows on Oct. 31, 1987, in Chicago. 
Father Bueter taught religion in various institutions through the years, headed departments and coached a track team. He served as principal of the St. Ignatius Loyola Academy for one year (1975-76) and principal of St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago (1976-84) helped the school become a co-educational. He also served as editor for the National Jesuit News (1972-75) and associate editor of the America Magazine (1985-88). 
In 1988, Father Bueter returned to secondary education and served in various roles. Specifically, he served as principal of Lexington Catholic for one year and president for eight years in the ‘90s. Enrollment was raised from 321 to over 750 students, teachers’ salaries were increased, and buildings and grounds were expanded. Classrooms, restrooms, a garden with fountain, a baseball field, a fieldhouse with weight room, a practice field, parking and bleachers were added. The Robert J. Bueter, S.J. Athletic Center was built in 2000 to honor of what he did for athletics. After retirement in 2013, Father Bueter returned to Lexington Catholic as an assistant to the president until his death. He lived in the Jesuit Community in Lexington with Fathers Gino Donatelli and Walt Bado.
Katie Owen, a teacher in fine arts, said she had her life touched by Father Bueter. 
“I was teaching in 2013 in the first year he came back. Since I was not raised Catholic, it was a daunting task to set up for a Mass and other rituals,” Owen said. “He was so supportive of me and our programs. We have the choir, piano, art and humanities.” 
Helen Wheat had a relationship with Father Bueter that goes back to 1990. 
“I was teaching home economics, and after he arrived, he closed out this department and told me I needed to teach religion,” Wheat said. “He had a talent for knowing gifts of the faculty. I was happy teaching religion until I retired in 2014.”
Wheat added, “Father Bueter had a vision of what the school could be and took it to the next level.”
Father Bueter’s funeral was Dec. 7 in Cincinnati. He is survived by two sisters, one brother, three nieces, eight grand nieces, and five grand nephews.

Lexington Catholic High School will celebrate Father Bueter’s legacy at a Memorial Mass on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. in Bueter Gym.