Meet Buxton from the leadership class of 2024
Bob Buxton was born and raised in Coshocton County; outside the Village of Nellie. He was raised on his family farm and attended Warsaw Elementary, and was the first graduating class from the “new” River View High School in 1966.
In high school, he was active in FFA and band. Following graduation, Buxton attended The Ohio State University, earning a degree in agricultural education, as he was inspired by his own teacher. A highlight of his time studying at OSU was participating in the International 4-H Youth Exchange Program during his junior year. He spent six months in India, and reflected that it was “a true cultural exchange experience.” He lived with his host families in the villages; staying in three states with nine families” and due to a mosquito bite, experienced rural medicine there.
After earning his degree, Buxton returned home and began teaching at River View in the vocational agriculture department, with his former agriculture teacher, Ray Griffith until he retired. Buxton continued to teach and farm his family farm and retired from a 30-year career in education from River View. During that time, he returned to OSU to earn his master’s in agricultural education. While teaching, he was active in the Ohio Agricultural Educators Association and served as president in 1991. He was in the Army ROTC program while studying at OSU and was honorably discharged from the United States Army Reserves as a captain in 1981.
Even though Buxton is currently retired from teaching, that hasn’t slowed him down from his many and varied activities. He has been very active in the Warsaw Lion’s Club since being asked to join in 1971, and currently serves as treasurer. He also went through the chairs and served as District Governor of the Ohio Lion’s in 2009. He has held every office in the club and has been part of the annual Lion’s Show since joining.
In 1979, he ran for Coshocton County Fair Board, and has served in that capacity since then. He was president for two years; ran for the District 8 Director of the Ohio Fair Managers Association in 2008, and served as president of that organization in 2016 and 2017.
He has also been a 4-H advisor since 1966 with three different clubs, now the Mohawk Valley Club, and serves as president of the Coshocton County 4-H Advisory Committee. He is a member of the Coshocton County Farm Bureau Board, serving as treasurer. He has been a Grange member for more than 50 years as a member and master of the former Mohawk and Walhonding Granges, and now a member of the Tiverton Grange.
Other agricultural endeavors include being the president of Central Ohio Iris Society in Columbus and president of the Ohio Daylily Society in Mansfield. He was a “farmer his whole life;” raising sheep; hogs; cattle and “grain.” Buxton was the third generation on the 300 acre family farm, (Turkey Bend Farm which was purchased by his grandfather in the mid-1940s), and his nephew, who currently farms it, is the fourth generation. Although he now only has a few chickens, he admitted it was “hard to retire” from farming, but that it “was time.” His family farm has a history dating back to the land grants of the Revolutionary War.
He also serves on the Coshocton Board of Elections; having been past chair and also helps to set up voting machines doing “logistics and accuracies” for the elections. He serves on the Republican Central Committee, representing Jefferson and Newcastle Townships. He attends the Roscoe UM Church and sings in the choir. In his early career he was on the Nellie town council and also served as mayor for several years.
Finally, Buxton also substitute teaches at River View and, as “he enjoys going to auctions,” helping out with those as well.
With this varied list of community involvement and leadership roles, one might wonder why Buxton decided to participate in Leadership Coshocton County. He said, “I thought it might be fun, and I’m up for new challenges.” He knew several people who had done it, and even though he’d “been in the county his whole life,” he “still doesn’t know a lot about certain aspects of the community, such as local industry and county government.” Buxton also has a keen interest in local history.
Buxton considers Coshocton County to be “one of the best places to live in the state. It’s rural; people are friendly and helping; and we have excellent school systems.” His only concern is “we are unfortunately losing our most valuable asset of our community – our children. After completing their higher education, trade school, or the military, they may not return to the county due to lack of opportunities.”
His view of the community and answer led quite nicely to the next question – what will make the county stronger? Buxton said, “For people in Coshocton County to want to invest in the county, for opportunities for people to make a living here.” He knows there are “some things in the works.” He also pointed out, “Coshocton will continue to be a strong agricultural county – not like neighboring counties who are losing their valuable farmland to industries,” and “hopes the infinite wisdom of leaders will keep our farmland in production.” Afterall, we still need to feed the world.” Improvements in technology will also encourage young people to move back, he said.
Buxton would “absolutely” recommend Leadership Coshocton for others, recognizing “the comradery of the group and getting to know people in the community you otherwise would not. Learning about what they do and their involvement in the community.” Even though Buxton knows many people, particularly in the agriculture community, he has met new people through Leadership Coshocton County.
Bob and his late wife Bev, have two children, Emily and Jesse and five grandchildren.
Category: Clubs & Organizations
