Arthur Louis Buikema

Arthur Louis Buikema, Jr., age 85, of Blacksburg died, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. He was born in Cook County, Illinois on February 4, 1941, to the late Arthur Louis and Jessie Marion Ebbens Buikema. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Carolyn Elsie Thorsen; two sons, Andrew Carl Buikema and Arthur “Trey” Buikema; and two brothers, Robert Buikema and John Buikema. He grew up on the family farm in Beecher, Illinois. He received a bachelor’s degree at Elmhurst College, his master’s degree and PhD from Kansas University. He was a professor at Elmhurst College and later at Virginia Tech becoming Professor Emeritus of Biology, after more than 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Alison Galway; nine children, Ami Buikema, Jane Buikema, Jill Aukofer (Matthew), Eric Buikema, Matthew Buikema (Erin), Sarah Buikema, Rachel Friend (Kelly), David Thorsen Buikema, and Jessie Elizabeth Buikema; daughter-in-law, Margaret Buikema; 14 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg, Virginia.