Alexander Buiwitt

Love above all, Alexander Buiwitt lived a full life of family first with faith in God. The values that Alex lived by where honesty, sincerity, and generosity.

Alex was Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1928, to Alexander L. Buiwitt Sr. and Mary Lena (Martell). He was the first generation born in America. His father Alexander L. Buiwitt Sr. came to the United States through Ellis Island, born in Latvia, and his mother was Canadian born.

After graduating high school in Detroit, his path led him to the United States Navy where they sent him to Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana to study electrical engineering. After his training, he was assigned to the USS Randolph. During his service Alex was able to see much of the world and was very proud to serve his country.

Upon his honorable discharge in 1948, Alex met and married Marion (Pete) Peterson. They settled in Detroit, started their family, and he began his work as a Detroit Police Officer. They later moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Alex started a new career in sales in the foundry industry and eventually formed his own company, Ampar Systems, continuing in the foundry profession.

Alex was most proud of his 4 children, Christine, Brad, Joann, and Angela (Angela preceded him in death). He was a dedicated father and selfless person who always put his family first. His main focus in life was to show his family that dedication and hard work would lead to success. He taught them that if you want to do something, do your best, be the best person you can be, and to believe in yourself. He always took time to check on the mother of his children, Marion, even though they parted many years before. This was a valued kindness and loyalty to his family. He modeled a generous lifestyle, what was his, he shared. One of his most beloved things to share was the golf clubs he made himself. Many friends and family from Michigan to Arizona are hitting an “AL Original”. Some of the simplest things became the most treasured times of giving hugs, eating late night ice cream, cookies, or cake, and always enjoying strong morning coffee.

Alex was loved by many people. He always took extra time to help others. He was especially proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. At a recent first birthday party for his great granddaughter Elowen, he stated that she “completed his world.” Alex loved relaxing outdoors, working around the Gobles lake house, all while enjoying a good cigar. He told life stories to everyone, even strangers.

He had an endless passion for the game of golf. He loved making golf clubs, and pursued golf inventions and patents. He traveled to Arizona for the winter. Referring to himself as a snowbird, he made sure he called home to snowy Michigan on Christmas Day to share that he was on the golf course, excited to be in shorts on December 25th!

To know Al was to love him. He had many loyal lifelong friends and his children’s friends quickly became his friends too. He was a great listener and other times assumed the role of the story teller where he told his stories as if you were hearing them for the very first time.

Alexander was a WWII Veteran, and a life member of Kalamazoo Elks club #50 for 68 years. In the 1960’s he was the president of Westwood Little League, a member of American Legion, served on the campaign committee at Hackett High School Catholic Central and helped raise over 1.5 million dollars to build a new high school which opened in 1964. He also sat on the review board of electricians for Western Michigan University. Alex was not a person that would only talk about a problem because when he noticed that something needed to be solved, he was a man of action, not just a man of words.

In the last months of his life, many tasks became more difficult. His “see you in the morning” was followed now by “I hope so”. Alexander Buiwitt died peacefully on January, 24, 2024, with his children by his side.

Alexander Buiwitt was born July 22, 1928, in Detroit, MI, to Alexander L. Buiwitt Sr. and Mary Lena (Martell). He was preceded in death by his wife: Jean Buiwitt, daughter: Angela Buiwitt, and sibling: Marlene Buiwitt.

Surviving are his children, Christine Ballesteros-Mraz (Joey), Brad (Terri) Buiwitt, Joann Buiwitt-Shafer Carpenter (David), Grandchildren: John, Jennifer, Britni, Broc, Luke (Emily) Shafer and Summer Mraz, Great grand-children: Colton Brockman, and Elowen Shafer and dear family friend, Marge Lisowski.

A Life Story Visitation will be open for family and friends Wednesday, January 31, from 5-7 p.m. with the Rosary to be recited at 5:00 p.m. by Father Jorgensen held at Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home 60900 M-40, Paw Paw MI 49079, (269) 657-3870.

Mass will take place on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St Mary’s Catholic Church 209 S Brown St, Paw Paw, MI 49079, followed with committal of Military Funeral Honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI.

Visit Alexander’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign his guestbook. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gobles High School, Athletic Department.