Shaping Grand Junction through business, generosity and education for over 80 years
The Buescher family has been a pillar of the Grand Junction community since 1939 when Ernie Buescher moved to town and purchased the Pepsi-Cola bottling plant. His son Louis left to attend college, but he came back after graduation and began working at the family plant. While traveling the Western Slope repairing vending machines, Louis became deeply entrenched in the community.
“Local business was the core of what shaped our family’s legacy,” explained Brett Buescher, who graduated from CMU with a degree in graphic design in 2013. “For decades, the Buescher family has been rooted in entrepreneurship and community-driven enterprise in Grand Junction.”
Over the years, the Buescher family has extended their generosity and attention to giving back to Colorado Mesa University in numerous ways. Ernie purchased and installed the original scoreboards at Saunders Fieldhouse and the Bus Bergman Sports Complex. Louis donated his time by serving on the CMU Foundation Board and acting as a member of the Investment Committee — responsible for selecting managers and monitoring investments — for six years.
“My dad would often say, ‘Knowledge is power,’” recalled Brett. “Donating to CMU and investing in the next generation was one of the many ways he gave back.”
The entire family has spread their kindness with the university and future business leaders. The Bueschers have created four scholarships to help Davis School of Business students: the Blanche Buescher Business Endowed Scholarship Fund, the Ernest D. Buescher Memorial Scholarship, the Kristopher Buescher Memorial Scholarship, and, more recently, the Louis Buescher Memorial Scholarship.
When Louis passed away in 2024, his family asked for contributions to CMU rather than flowers. This homage reflected Louis’ strong belief in the impact of CMU on Grand Junction, especially when the institution became a four-year university.
“He believed CMU’s growth was key to the city’s success and economic development…and he was absolutely right. The transformation from Mesa State College in 2007 to what CMU is today is incredible,” said Brett, whose brothers Ben, ’09, and Jon, ’18, also attended CMU.
Entrepreneurship and business acumen were part of Louis’ DNA. After decades working in the Pepsi-Cola bottling business, Louis turned to the aircraft industry. He co-founded West Star Aviation, a maintenance, repair, and operations company, and grew it from 35 to 330 employees. It was sold in 2004 as a nationally recognized business.
“At the heart of that success was business education: the ability to lead, manage, innovate and treat every employee like family. That’s why the business school at CMU means so much to us. It reflects the values that built our family and continues to shape the next generation of leaders in the Grand Valley,” said Brett, who is co-founder of a competitive skateboarding app, Street Kingpins.
This fall, a classroom in the Davis School of Business was renamed in honor of Louis and his dedication to CMU. Brett remembered when a classroom was named in honor of his grandfather, Ernie, and how proud Louis was of the distinction.
“It’s beautiful to see my dad receive the love and appreciation he deserves,” said Brett. “Not many people leave behind a legacy that’s recognized by the community. It reminds me of how fortunate my brothers and I were to have him as a father. I know this honor would mean the world to him.”