My Life & My Memories

An intimate and deeply personal memoir that captures the life and stories of a man determined and destined to live his American dream.

The author braids essential stories from his being a child suffering from malnutrition and taken from his single mother, to tumultuous teen years in war-torn Germany forced to participate in Hitler's Youth, to developing into an adventurous young man fond of skiing the Alps and racing motorcycles through Europe for BMW. Preparing to make his way in the world, he made the life-altering decision to leave his family and homeland in pursuit of opportunity and the American dream, meeting and marrying the love of his life and beginning to build a family. With an enormous reverence for life, a commitment to provide service to others, and an infectious belief in the power of hard work, Al Buchner lived his dream.

This beautiful and moving memoir captivates readers with stories that are tender and unexpected. It will resonate with anyone who has struggled to carve out their own path, overcoming obstacles, and rising above them.

Dorothy Lee Crystal Buchner lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where she and her husband, Alfred "Buck" Buchner moved from Iowa in 2006. Dorothy worked in her husband's State Farm Insurance office along side him for 29 years. She has spent her life volunteering in Algona, Iowa, where they lived, and Okoboji, where they had a second home. She is active in her church, St. Therese, and has worked in the Food Pantry there for 17 years. She enjoys tending to her flowers and having neighborhood get togethers. She loves having her children and grandchildren visit her in Kansas City.