Buko von Krosigk

Sadly, Buko passed away peacefully on June 10 after a brief illness in North Shore Hospice with family members at his side. Buko is survived by his loving partner (Reidun), his adored children (Marcus, Eric, Steffen and Lisa), his brother (Axel), and his many treasured grandchildren (Niklas, Sylvie, Josy, Max, Anna, Becca, Sophie, Joshua and Olivia).

Born in Stassfurt, Germany, his schooling was interrupted by WWII when he had to serve as a soldier at age 16. After the war, Buko attended agricultural college in Germany before seeking opportunities abroad.  Originally, he was headed to Angola in Africa, where he had relatives with coffee plantations. But while waiting for that visa in 1954, at a chance encounter at a party, he was offered an opportunity in Canada to manage the BX Ranch in Vernon, B.C. The BX Ranch raised purebred Hereford cattle and Buko embraced the ranching life, travelling to the bull sales throughout BC with the highlight of the cattle breeder’s season being the annual bull sales in Williams Lake. 

A keen equestrian, Buko enjoyed the fall round up which brought the cattle back down from the summer ranges to the ranch in Vernon. He met Lynn Webster with whom he shared a passion for horses and the outdoors, skiing in particular. They married in 1958 with their first son Marcus showing up a year later and following on in two-and-a-half-year succession came Eric and Steffen. In 1965, they purchased a farm in Lumby which after a few years in beef farming switched over to dairy. 

In addition to his farming activities, Buko also served on the board of directors of the North Okanagan Creamery Association (NOCA) and on the North Okanagan Regional district. 

Buko’s love of horses was an important feature of the Lumby farm and there were always horses available for friends and family.  His pride and joy was Tally (Talisman) his Anglo-Arab stud that he would use for rounding up cattle and hunting.  Dogs likewise were also always in abundance on the farm.  The two most common were the border collies for cattle and the German wirehair pointers for hunting.  The farm also picked up the occasional donated pet from people living in the town or city which included a bit of everything from small cats to an Irish Wolfhound and all sizes in between. 

Buko was renowned for both his cooking and hospitality and his sons and their friends were always made to feel welcome and an extra plate could always be put out for unexpected guest(s).  Summers on the farm were particularly memorable as Buko had a picnic table custom built for most of the length of the porch to accommodate impromptu dining al fresco with friends, family and any extra guests.

Always one to look for new challenges, Buko moved on from farming to Real Estate, a profession he enjoyed and one that went on to provide him with many life long friends such as his close friend and kindred spirit, Stan King.

After several years in real estate, Buko then partnered with Jacob Tobler to become the driving forces in setting up and starting Okanagan Spring Brewery in Vernon.   With Jacob in Vernon at the brewery and Buko managing sales in Vancouver the brewery soon took off.  Of his many roles Buko remembers the crew he worked with in Vancouver very fondly and often spoke of the esprit de corps that they had.  He was equally proud of being the first brewery to hire all female sales reps. 

While in Vancouver, Buko took up sailing, another of his passions, and became very involved in the local sailing racing scene where he was very popular as Okanagan Spring would sponsor local regattas and Buko would often show up at the race venues with a keg of beer. He was also a very popular skipper because he made it a point not to yell at his crew. His racing career culminated in the US Virgin Islands in winning the St Thomas Rolex Regatta (and his prized Rolex) on a chartered J120.

His last 24 years were spent with his partner, Reidun (aka Snookie). It was a time filled with adventure, travel, wonderful friends, family gatherings and so many great memories. There were many wonderful adventures including sailing on his J120 sailboat “Time Bandit”, many barging trips on the French canals including on their own barge “Marco” for a few years, self-guided bicycle trips all over Europe and of course, lots of local camping trips in his beloved VW Westphalia camper van usually accompanied by bicycles and the Klepper kayak. But he was also someone who enjoyed simple pleasures like sitting and reading a good book, going for a walk by the ocean or chatting with friends over a meal with a glass of wine.

Buko was extremely fit and strong from daily gym sessions and regular biking and hiking outings. His often much younger friends, called him Bionic Buko as no one could keep up to him even well into his 80’s.

A man of many talents with a great zest for life and adventure, Buko will be remembered as kind-hearted, loyal to the core, generous, intelligent, charming, funny and loving. He was an avid sailor, traveler, horse lover and rider, keen outdoorsman, cyclist, fitness buff, wine enthusiast, engaging conversationalist, voracious reader and a foodie.

His love of sharing his delicious meals and cooking skills with friends and family, led to the creation of a much sought-after yearly cookbook every Christmas. A tradition that is now passionately continued by his granddaughter Josy and her fiancé Link.

Many of his friends and family came together in 2018 to celebrate his life and his 90^th birthday with a marvellous big party that will be cherished forever.

Buko will be greatly missed and in our thoughts, especially when we are making one of the many delicious recipes from those treasured cookbooks.