Roger Allen Buis

Chief Warrant Officer 4, Roger Allen Buis, 65, earned his final wings on January 18^th, 2021, in Niceville, Florida. An Army aviator, flight instructor, and veteran of Desert Storm, he served his country proudly in the United States Army for over 21 years before retiring from his last duty station at Fort Rucker, Alabama.  Throughout his honorable military career, CW4 Buis served in the 1/75^th Ranger Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia; in the 1/17^th Cav of the 82^nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; an OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilot in the 1/7^th Air Cav at Fort Hood, TX, and finally, a Master Army Aviator and battalion standards flight instructor at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He was awarded several decorations to include the Army Aviation Association of America Aviator of the Year, Meritorious Service Medal (2^nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (3^rd Award), Army Commendation Medal (3^rd Award), Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviator Badge, Taiwan Aviator Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge and many others.

Roger was born on February 25, 1955, in Greencastle, Indiana, to Clyde Allen and Mary Carrol Buis. During his childhood, he enjoyed spending time on the Charlotte Harbor in Punta Gorda, Florida, where he graduated from Charlotte High School and later married his high school sweetheart, Pauline. During his military career, Roger expanded his aviation experience and became a licensed civilian fixed wing pilot where he later owned and operated his own Fixed Based Operation in Ozark, Alabama. Upon retirement from the US Army, Roger relocated to a private airpark community, Skyranch, in Baker, FL. Furthering his love and passion for aviation, he pursued a career as a professional helibatic helicopter stunt pilot and performed in airshows across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Jamaica and the United Arab Emirates. With his wife, Pauline, as his narrator, Roger entertained and inspired the lives of many with his three acts: Otto the Airshow Helicopter Clown, a pyrotechnic night show and a Stearman Bi-plane air to air helicopter transfer. As a member of the International Council of Airshows, he was awarded the Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award in 2013. After 15 years as an airshow performer, Roger then pursued a career as an Aviation Safety Inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, assigned to Wichita, Kansas, and based in Miramar, Florida, where he was currently working upon his passing.

He is rated as an Airline Transport Pilot in Airplane Single & Multiengine Land & Sea, Rotorcraft – Helicopter and type rated in AB-139; AW-139; BH-47, CE-500 and SK-92

As a true adventurer and travel enthusiast, Roger’s other passion in life was long distance motorcycle riding on one of his many Harley Davidsons. He rode in the inaugural Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge where he completed over 13,000 miles in 11 days from Key West, Florida, to Homer, Alaska. Roger has been awarded numerous long distance certificates from the Iron Butt Association and was a member of the Tour of Honor and Defenders Motorcycle Club - Everglades, Florida Chapter.

Roger was a brave and loyal soldier, aviator, as well as a dedicated and loving husband, father and papa. Roger and Pauline shared a love and marriage for over 42 years and he was most proud of their two children, Daniel and Jessica. He had the great honors of seeing his son follow in his footsteps as he taught him to fly fixed wing, rotor wing and seaplane aircraft where he too became a licensed commercial pilot. He always looked forward to and enjoyed his special Daddy-Daughter “DD” dates with his daughter, who is the truest of a Daddy’s Girl. Roger treasured his four grandchildren and had an unequivocal special bond with each one of them.

Roger never met a stranger and will always be remembered for his infectious smile, contagious laughter and of course his stellar jokes and stories.

He is preceded in death by his father, Clyde and is survived by his wife, Pauline Buis; children, Daniel Buis (Rebekah) and Jessica Davis; and his four grandchildren, Jake Buis, Madison Davis, Alyssa Buis and Taylor Davis. Roger is also survived by his mother, Carrol Buis and sister, Brenda Beckham.

Visitation will take place at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home on Thursday, January 28^th, 2021, beginning at 1:30 pm with the funeral service immediately following at 2:30 pm. Internment, with military honors, will be held on Friday, January 29^th, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS Pensacola, FL. All friends and family are invited to attend the visitation and funeral service. The interment on NAS Pensacola will be limited to 40 persons, per military regulations.

While flowers are welcome, those wishing to make a memorial charitable contribution may consider: Niceville Amateur Youth Baseball, Traveling Eagles – Niceville, FL

University of Florida Health Shands Children’s Hospital – Gainesville, FL

US Army Aviation Museum – Fort Rucker, Alabama;

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