Thousands of people impacted by the writing of Frederick Buechner are remembering his legacy as they mourn his death.

On Monday, August 15, Frederick Buechner died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 96, according to his family.

Buechner was born under the name Carl Frederick Buechner on July 11, 1926, in New York City. He studied at Princeton University, but World War II started and he struggled to complete his bachelor's degree in English in 1948. Buechner published his first novel, A Long Day's Dying, in 1950.

After publishing his second book, Buechner lectured at New York University and focused on his writing, it was during this time that he had a life-changing experience. 

According to Christianity Today, Buechner began attending Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church despite growing up in a family that did not have any church connections. He decided to go because the church was right next door and he had "nothing else to do on a Sunday," which he says in a video posted on YouTube by the Frederick Buechner Centre. 

It was not until a particular Sunday when the words of Rev. George Buttrick caught Buechner's attention. "Christ is crowned in the hearts of those who love him and believe in him amidst confession and tears and great laughter."

He remembers being "so taken aback by 'great laughter' that I found the tears springing to my eyes."

After speaking to Buttrick about devoting himself to the Christian faith, Buechner went to Union Theological Seminary where he graduated with a bachelor's of divinity and was ordained as an evangelist in 1958 at the same church where his life changed.

Buechner achieved many goals in his lifetime, launching a religion department at Phillips Exeter Academy, teaching and lecturing in many schools, and many of his novels were recognized for various awards. Over the course of his lifetime, Buechner wrote nearly 40 books all varying in genres: fiction, autobiography, theology, essays and sermons.

Buechner touched and changed the lives of many, including Rev. James Martin, editor at large of America Media. In another YouTube video posted by the Frederick Buechner Center, he says that the author was "instrumental in my early days as a Jesuit." In a Twitter post, Martin expresses his condolences.

Frederick Buechner is survived by his wife, Judith Buechner, three daughters, a son-in-law and 10 grandchildren.

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