Philip W. Buchen

Buchen was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the son of State Senator Gustave W. Buchen. In his youth, he contracted polio and thereafter walked with a cane. He graduated from Sheboygan High School in 1935 and attended the University of Michigan, where he met Gerald Ford. At Michigan, he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1941.

 

Buchen opened a law practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan with Ford in May 1941. He continued to practice law in Grand Rapids until 1974, when he came to Washington to serve in the Office of the Vice President of the United States. He served as chief White House counsel with Cabinet rank for the duration of Ford's presidency.

When Ford left office, Buchen remained in Washington, practicing law with the firm of Dewey Ballantine until 1995. Buchen served on the United States Commission of Fine Arts from 1977 to 1981.

Buchen's first marriage ended in divorce. He had a daughter with his second wife, Beatrice (Loomis).

Buchen died of pneumonia in May 2021.

• Files pertaining to Philip W. Buchen at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
• Interview with Philip Buchen, March 1985