Cliff Buchler, one of The Citizen’s most popular columnists, died on Saturday evening in his apartment in a retirement village in Cape Town of heart failure. He is 84 years old.
“Cliff has a unique ability to express his feelings and his readers through his writings about politics and other issues. He can fantasize, usually in a funny way, about what his country needs and how to get it,” said his longtime friend Theo Eybers.
“He even wants to be the electricity minister when he says he has experience in coal transport – in his dream.” Cliff was one of the first editors in the pioneering days of Caxton’s community newspaper.
Mentor
In 1978 he founded Roodepoort Record (among others since) and remained managing editor for over 30 years. Eybers noted Cliff Buchler had studied for aspiring journalists at the Caxton Cadete School in Johannesburg, and spent time at various newspaper branches for guidance with subbing and other editorial functions.
“Cliff is always one hundred percent dedicated to the message he wants to bring. He does not play with words and is honest and honest about his attitude towards different politicians,” said Eybers.
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“Goodbye my friend, the newspaper world and many others will miss you dearly.” He is survived by his wife Heidi, son Kevin and daughter, Cathrine. Buchler, who left his mark on all the communities in which he lived, was also a regular contributor of articles and letters to all the leading publications.
Column
Residents Editor Trevor Stevens said Cliff “was my and my readers’ favorite on Wednesday”.
“I look forward to the delivery of the column every week. It will always arrive on Thursday or Friday at the latest – several days before the deadline (a rare trait for journalists),” said Stevens. “He always had a great one-liner that accompanied the letter. I hope you like your parents… I hope you get your competition… enjoy your paper today.”
Stevens says Cliff is one of a kind. “Genuine people. Good reporter and honest columnist. I love the daily travails with Heidi… or can’t wait to hear what mischief he got up to in line at the doctors.
His humor every Wednesday will be missed,” Stevens said. “His thoughtful letters will be missed. Cliff will be greatly missed, but not forgotten. My deepest condolences to Heidi and her family. Calm down Cliff.
You are one of the good people.