~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, WAL pilot Loren “Buzz” Lee Splittgerber
April 1, 1940 ~ February 23, 2026
Buzz Splittgerber passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026, at the age of 85. Buzz was born April 1, 1940, in Wayne, Nebraska, to Darlene (Bomer) and Ernest Splittgerber. He grew up on the family ranch homesteaded by his grandfather in 1912, a property that remains proudly owned by the Splittgerber family today. Buzz attended Prairie Center School with his sisters, Jeanine and Angie, and his brother, Joel.
After graduating from Torrington High School in 1958, Buzz attended Colorado State University, where he earned his degree and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force. In 1963, he completed pilot training as a member of the first T-38 Talon class, an aircraft that remains the Air Force’s primary jet trainer. He served as a B-52 pilot during his tour and was awarded a regular commission.
Following his military service, Buzz began an 18-year career as a pilot with Western Airlines. His favorite assignments were flying the Boeing 737 throughout the Rocky Mountain states.
In the 1980s, while living in Ridgefield, Washington, Buzz and his wife, Lyn, established Kachina Goldens, a nationally recognized Golden Retriever kennel. Their breeding program produced AKC Best in Show winners, numerous AKC conformation and obedience champions, and three Golden Retriever Hall of Fame members.
After aviation, Buzz launched a second profession as a financial advisor, spending 13 years with A.G. Edwards & Sons in Vancouver, Washington, and Boise, Idaho. Never one to slow down, he later began a third career as the owner of a synthetic turf field testing lab, “BuzzTurf,” operating out of Tucson, Arizona, and Boise, Idaho. Through this work, he certified athletic fields in ten western states.
Buzz’s dedication to athletics was equally enduring. He coached soccer for 25 years and became the oldest coach to receive a USSF National Coaching License. He led Bishop Kelly High School to Idaho High School state championships in 1995 (A-2) and 1996 (A-1, the largest classification). His baseball coaching achievements included leading a team to the Idaho Little League Junior State Championship in 1994.
Buzz’s life was marked by a fantastic sense of humor, a deep love of family and athletics, and a quiet joy in simple pleasures: a well-struck golf ball, a grandchild’s sports game, and an ice cold A&W root beer.
Buzz is survived by his wife, Lyn; his sons, Kyle (daughter-in-law Bethany), Jed (daughter-in-law Meghann), and Brek (daughter-in-law Kelly); his grandchildren, Milo and Zeke; his sisters, Jeanine and Angie; and his brother, Joel. He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Splittgerber; his mother, Darlene Splittgerber; his grandson, Jacob Splittgerber; and his nephew, Tory Babcock.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. A private memorial service will be held at a later date to honor and celebrate Buzz’s life.