Raymond Gregory Buergin

Raymond Gregory Buergin, 89, Topeka, died Monday, August 15, 2011, at Brewster Health Center. He was born December 28, 1921 in Homestead, PA, the son of William and Ella (Murphy) Buergin. They preceded him in death, as well as a sister Jeanne Schoonover. He served in the United States Navy Reserves during W.W. II. Raymond received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He was employed by Mobile Oil Company and later for the Charles Pfizer Company in California. He moved to Topeka in 1969 where he worked for the State of Kansas in the Department of Health and Environment, developing and implementing air quality standards, until his retirement in 1985. Raymond was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed participating in golf and bowling. He was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church. Most meaningful to his life was his religion and his family. He will be most remembered as a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He married Constance "Connie" Jones in Long Beach, CA on July 26, 1948. She survives of the home. Other survivors include two sons, Gregory Buergin of Greeley, Colorado and James Buergin of Indianapolis, Indiana; three daughters, Margaret Buergin, Mary Erwin and her husband Ron and Elizabeth Paris and her husband Timothy, all of Topeka, a sister, Louise Seegan and her husband George of California, eleven grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. Raymond will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and a Parish Vigil Service will be at 5:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Entombment will be in Mt. Hope Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the charity of the donor?s choice and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.