~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, WAL pilot Loren “Buzz” Lee
Splittgerber
April 1, 1940 ~ February 23, 2026
Buzz Splittgerber, Western Airlines 737 Pilot
passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026, at the age of 85.
Buzz joined Western Airlines following his
military service. He took an early
retirement from Western 06-01-1985 and pursued his many other interests. Buzz is survived by his wife Lyn (a former
Western Airlines Flight Attendant, Evelynn “Lyn” Robben Splittgerber, hired on
05-28-1969), and by his sons and their families.
The family’s address is listed in whitepages as 5998 N Heathrow Way, Boise, ID 83713.
PCN memorial site
Loren Splittgerber Obituary (1940 - 2026) - Boise,
ID - Idaho Press Tribune
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/idahopress/name/loren-splittgerber-obituary?id=60988651
Boise ID - 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.
Published by Idaho Press Tribune from Mar. 11 to Mar. 12,
2026.
