For the next several meetings, Buckley officials will be honoring residents known for their service to the city with street names — and they started with former Buckley firefighter and Bull of the Woods Robert “Bob” Britschgi.
The short dedication ceremony was held during the Jan. 28 council meeting.
“One of Buckley’s long-standing traditions is naming streets in honor of various community members who have donated countless hours and/or years serving our city,” Mayor Beau Burkett said. “…[T]his tradition reflects the deep gratitude we have for those who make Buckley the vibrant and caring place it is today.”
Britschgi lived in Buckley almost all his life until his death in 2022 at the age of 86.
Born in 1935, Britschgi — the eighth of nine siblings — grew up on a family-owned farm, graduated from White River High, and worked as a mechanic for local inventor and philanthropist Dwight Garrett. In 1973, Britschgi and his family relocated to Adna, WA, to work for Cascade Loggers; four years later, they moved back to Buckley to continue hauling logs for his son’s company, Doug Britschgi, Inc.
Britschgi was also a volunteer Buckley Fire Department firefighter from 1962 to 1986, and worked his way up to assistant fire chief.
Given his extensive work in the logging industry, Britschgi became involved with the Buckley Log Show. He was honored in 2010 with the title of Bull of the Woods for his long career and expertise.
“This [street] recognition is something we’re incredibly grateful for,” granddaughter Ashley Britschgi wrote to the Buckley City Council. “I know that if he were still with us today, he wouldn’t feel he needed any type of recognition for the time he dedicated to the town, but being honored alongside so many of his friends is something he would have been really proud of.”
Britschgi Road will be built inside a housing development off Spiketon Road and Tanner Avenue on the south end of the city.
This is “a cherished spot, as he spent the majority of his life living off Spiketon Road,” Ashley’s letter continued.
Additional dedications are scheduled for Feb. 25 (for Les Holly) through May 13, though dates may change based on family availability.
