Robert Moylan Buckler, Jr.

Robert Moylan Buckler, Jr.

August 20, 1943 – February 25, 2025

Olney, MD

Robert (aka Bob or Bobby) Moylan Buckler, Jr. passed away surrounded by his loving family on February 25, 2025 at 11:11am. He was the first born of two children to the late Robert and Muriel (Counts) Buckler, Sr. at Columbia Hospital for Women, Washington DC. He was preceded in death by his younger brother Dennis Reardon Buckler.

Robert was raised in the DC area and often shared stories of taking the street cars to school from a young age. He spent countless summers attending Hazelwild Farm Camp in Fredericksburg with "Aunt Sissy".  It was there that he developed a love for horses/animals, hard work, and nature. He would go on to attend Charlotte Hall Military Academy, Anacostia High School, and George Washington University.

Robert was a renaissance man, who had a love for computer science, wood working, art, fixing almost anything, conspiracy theories, live music, shooting pool, ping pong, boating and more. He was everyone’s handyman, and it was often remarked on his incredible coordination, as he could be found climbing the tallest of ladders balancing on one foot.

Robert was also a pioneer, being one of the first “yuppies” to move out of the city and into the countryside. Along with his late first wife Patricia Joyce Buckler (Panella) and their three children at the time. Together they purchased an old farmhouse on thirty acres in Myersville, MD. The historic chestnut log structure had been deserted for over a decade and was in need of love and restoration. With his own two hands and help from some friends, Robert sought out to restore it and make it a home. Robert and Patricia would go on to raise six children on Crow Rock Road.

In addition to a dynamic personal life, Robert also had an impressive professional journey. His career highlights included, working for the Navy Yard, CIA, IBM, and GE to name a few. As a computer programmer and systems engineer, he had the distinct honor of contributing on the original computer programming projects for the New York Stock Exchange, Air Traffic Control, and Y2K. He also helped lead the way for the World Wide Web, now known as the internet. 

Robert was a loving and supportive son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his six children Kim (Buckler) and Rick Phelps, David and Heidi Buckler, Patrick and Angela Buckler, Chris Buckler, Amy Buckler and David Mingee, and Megan (Buckler) and Rudy Lopez; grandchildren, John and Nicole Phelps (Kim), Nick, Ryan, Peter, and Elise Buckler (David), Spencer and Aiken Buckler (Patrick), Rodolfo and Isa Lopez (Megan), Sonny and Lucian Mingee (Amy); as well as, his companion, wife, and friend Patricia Hobbs. The many who were close to him will greatly miss him and forever cherish having known him. He leaves to his children and their children a long list of life skills, appreciation for the finer things in life (many of them thrifted), a deep love of seafood, and countless happy memories. His positive can-do attitude, focus on the silver linings, and true believer in mind over matter made him a constant positive force in the life of everyone he touched.

Toward the end of Robert’s life, he became even more spiritual with a focus on staying in the present and the thought that “what you can see in your mind, you can hold in your hand.” He held the belief; we all have the ability within us to bring the positive or the negative into our life through the power of thought. The last few months of his life he was intent on sending those positive vibrations into the universe and to each of his loved ones. He repeatedly commented how thankful he was for the life he was given, in his words, he had “abundant blessings.” After his passing at 11:11, it was realized that the number 11 is a master number, which means it has a high vibration and deep significance. One of them being a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. 11:11 is also considered a significant time to make a wish, set intentions, and manifest dreams. It would be no surprise if Robert, being the number loving guy that he was, sent one last message to those he loved.

Please join in remembering and honoring Robert by staying in the present, reading Eckhart Tolle, visiting his favorite places like Dietle’s or the Jetty, taking a long walk in the woods, a stroll along the beach, and be sure to order the #1s.

“Grief is not just the echo of love- it’s the aftershock of meaning.” Robert did just that, he led a meaningful life and now we feel that aftershock.  “Maybe, just maybe, the only way though it is to let that meaning shape what comes next. To carry it forward, not as a burden, but as a compass.”

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