On Tuesday, February 7th, Alan “Buck” Keith Brunkhorst, 85, passed away in Paradise Valley, AZ. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy; three children, Brock (Josie) Brunkhorst, Brett Brunkhorst Carlino, and Brynn (Daniel) O’Connell; grandchildren, Billie, Kennedy, Bo, and Britton Brunkhorst; Matthew (Mandi), Jack and Catherine Carlino; Bucky (Christina) O’Connell, McKenna (Jack) Hutt, Ryan and Claire O’Connell; great-grandchild Cade O’Connell; and brother Brian (Stephanie) Brunkhorst.
Buck is preceded in death by his parents, Cathryn and Arlyn Brunkhorst; brother, John Brunkhorst; and sister, Beth Brunkhorst. Born in Owen, Wisconsin, Buck attended Abbotsford High School and Wisconsin State College(Eau Claire), where he played basketball.
After receiving his Masters in Physical Education from Winona State College, he became the Varsity Football Coach at Auburndale High School, followed by New Berlin High.
In the late 60’s and early 70’s, he became an NBA referee. During this time, Buck and Nancy also co-owned a tavern (The Gym) and a laundromat near Marquette University in Milwaukee. In the mid 70’s, Buck and Nancy started a home building company in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1978, in search of warmer weather, they moved their family out to Paradise Valley, AZ. They continued their custom home building company, Nance Construction and with Buck’s many connections in the sport’s world this led to lots of success and to this day Nance Construction remains one of the preeminent custom home builders in the valley.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00pm, February 24th at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. A celebration of life to follow at the family home.
In Lieu of Flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of The Valley https://www.hov.org/donate/
Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Beth Kaczmarek
My heart goes out to your family at the loss of this accomplished and affable man. My late husband, Ray, and I knew Buck through our friendship with his brother Brian and our visits to The Gym. I taught at New Berlin High School in the days when Buck was the Varsity Football Coach. To say that he was looked upon as a demi-god there isn’t much of an exaggeration. It was gratifying to follow his career and feel joy for his success and his lovely family. You will be in my prayers.
Greg Kramer
Blessings to Bucky on his journey, and blessings to all of the family.
Shawna Estrada
My heart goes out to the entire Brunkhorst family and loved ones. Buck’s legacy will live on through everyone he has touched. Buck touched my life and I am so grateful for him and his beautiful family. I send you all my love, healing prayers and peace. I forever will always bet on the Bucks!
Charles Tess
I have known Buck and the family for 30 years, and my condolences as I know a lot of others who will miss him.
My brother and I worked with him at Nance Constriction all that time and learned a lot.
Chuck an Larry
Gary Stigler
Dear Nancy and Family,
Our sympathies to you and family as Coach Buck will always be remembered as a great coach and teacher as well as a great person. Buck was well respected by his players and students as well. He will be missed by so many, and me, personally, loved that guy.
Best Regards,
Gary Stigler
Class of ‘71 New Berlin West High
Jane Garcica
The deepest condolences to the Brunkhorst family, my family and I keep you all in our prayers. Buck was a very sweet man to know and we’ll cherish the memories. To the family we send out all the blessings!
Pierre Langue
My Condolences to Nancy, Brock and the entire family. I am so sorry for your loss.
Words are hard to express how grateful I am to have known Buck.
My thoughts and prayers
Pierre Langue
Francisco Molina
Our deepest condolences to Nancy and the Brunkhorst family. Wishing you peace and blessings from the Molina family.