Marvin Buzzard, pictured in a Journal-World photo from 2003, served as Haskell Indian Nations University's vice president of University Services before his retirement in 2007. He died Tuesday in a car crash on North 1800 Road.

Marvin “Marv” Buzzard dedicated his life to American Indian education.

The 67-year-old Lecompton man served in the federal Bureau of Indian Education before spending two decades as vice president of University Services at Haskell Indian Nations University, occasionally filling in as interim president as administrators came and went.

He retired in 2007 but remained active at the school, attending events when he could and checking in with former colleagues, Haskell President Venida S. Chenault said.

Though Buzzard was retired, he had a lot of plans, Chenault said.

Those plans were cut short just after 2 p.m. Tuesday when his 2002 Ford Explorer swerved left of center and sideswiped another vehicle while he was driving westbound on North 1800 Road, known informally as the “Farmers’ Turnpike.”

Buzzard was not wearing a seat belt, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol, and was killed in the crash. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Chenault worked closely with Buzzard at Haskell in her earlier position as vice president for Academic Affairs, even serving as interim co-president with Buzzard in 2007 while the university was searching for a replacement for former president Karen Swisher.

“He was my ‘old chum.’ When I first came in, I’d go to him for advice,” Chenault said. “He was a seasoned administrator and loved Haskell and his work.”

Chenault said the university loved him back, tenfold.

“If you ever went to his office, you’d see his walls covered with items people had gifted to him in appreciation,” Chenault said. “Paintings, ball caps and even an eagle feather he proudly displayed.”

Buzzard was known for his “deep, rich voice,” Chenault said, and he would read students’ names each year at graduation.

Outside Haskell’s auditorium on Wednesday, a small fire in the center of a circle of stones crackled for Buzzard, its smoke billowing upward.

Chenault said the school lit the fire in a location where people can go for blessings and prayers.

“He did everything he could for Haskell. It’s very hard to lose him,” Chenault said. “This is one of those life tragedies you don’t expect to happen.”