Stanley Walter Buol

Stanley Walter Buol, age 91, from Garner, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026, at his home. Stan was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, on June 14, 1934, and was the oldest child of Walter and Marie (Carteron) Buol.

He grew up in Belleville, Wisconsin on a dairy farm and graduated from Belleville High School in 1952. In high school, he played in the band and several sports. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison earning his B.S. (1956), M.S. (1958) and Ph.D. (1960) degrees in Soil Science. During this time, he served in the Army National Guard of Wisconsin and as a reserve of the Army. Music continued to be part of his life as he played in the Wisconsin Band and 32nd Infrantry Division Band. On July 9, 1960, he married his high school sweetheart Joan E. Showers in the Swiss Reform church in Belleville, Wisconsin. The couple lived in Tucson, Arizona from 1960 to1966 where he was an Assistant and Associate Professor in the Agricultural Chemical and Soils Department at the University of Arizona. During this time, their son Gregory and daughter Glenda were born. In 1966, the family moved to Garner, North Carolina where Stan joined the Soil Science Department at North Carolina State University as an Associate Professor. In 1969, he was promoted to professor and in 1992 received a Williams Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professorship. In 2003 he retired as Distinguished Professor Emeritus. During his career, his primary responsibilities were research into the formation and classification of soils and graduate instruction. He served as major professor for 77 students. His study of soils and those of his students took him to over 60 countries, primarily in tropical areas of the world. His travels and especially the countless people he met, from farmers and laborers to other colleagues, while observing how they managed soils and crops for food and fiber production greatly influenced his research and career. He always enjoyed sharing his travel experiences with students, family and friends. During his career, he received numerous awards for his research, teaching and international work. Throughout his life he enjoyed fishing, hunting, target shooting, handloading, and making custom gun stocks. He will also be remembered for smoking a pipe which he always had nearby.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joan, and daughter, Glenda. He is survived by his son, Greg (Mary); granddaughter, Ashley; great grandson, Kai; sister, JoAnn Buol Seymour (Jim); brother-in-law, Tom Showers (Mary); sister-in-law, Rita Showers, and nieces and nephews.

The family wants to thank the friends, in-home caregivers, and Hospice nurses for the care and comfort they provided.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to either St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Raleigh, North Carolina; the Soil Science Enhancement Fund (NC Agricultural Foundation) online at go.ncsu.edu/stanbuol or Campus Box 7645, NC State, Raleigh, NC 27695-7645 with "Stan Buol" in the note field or check memo line; or to a charity that holds special meaning to you.