"I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Admiral Buck. What a wonderful man. My sincere condolences to Muriel and family."
In loving memory of
Roger Leonard Buck
November 19, 1927 - September 23, 2021
ROGER L. BUCK
Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired)
November 19, 1927 - September 23, 2021
Roger Leonard Buck was born November 19, 1927, in Mansfield, Massachusetts, to Ralph A. and Fannie E. Buck. Valedictorian of the Class of 1945 at Mansfield High School, Buck attended Boston University before being admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Midshipman Buck played four years on the USNA varsity baseball team under Coach Max Bishop and was the team's captain his senior year. The day after graduating from the Academy and receiving his commission in the U.S. Navy, Ensign Buck married Muriel C. McCauley on June 3, 1950. While enroute to San Diego and his first assignment as damage control assistant on the USS John R. Craig (DD-885), the Korean War broke out, sending the ship to the war zone.
Captain Buck served 26 years in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer and had command of the USS Crow (MSC(0)-7), USS Richard E. Kraus (DD-849), and the USS Harry E. Yarnell (CG-17). He served as Executive Officer on the USS Charles Berry (DE-1035), Weapons Officer on the USS Newport News (CA-148) and Operations Officer on the USS Boston (CAG-1), the world's first guided missile cruiser. During this assignment, he played an active role in the successful search for the H-bomb lost off Palomares, Spain. Captain Buck's staff assignments were as Operations and Plans Officer, Commander Cruiser Destroyer Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; and as Chief of Staff, Commander Cruiser Destroyer-Group Two and Commander Destroyer Development Group, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
Then-Lieutenant Buck returned to the U.S. Naval Academy as Company Officer, where he also was the assistant baseball coach. In the early 1960s, he served in the Office of Chief of Naval Operations in the Politico Military Section (OP-61) at the Pentago during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Buck was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asia & Europe), National Defense Service Medal with One Star, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
Captain Buck holds three degrees: Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Naval Academy, Master of Arts in International Relations from American University in Washington, D.C., and a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. His military education includes graduating from the Senior Warfare Course at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
Upon retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1976, Captain Buck taught a Fleet Anti-Air Warfare course at the Naval War College, and a political history course at Roger Williams University.
In 1978, Buck was named Coordinator of the Rhode Island Coastal Energy Impact Program, where he initiated state policies on oil exploration in the North Atlantic fishing grounds and was involved in outer continental shelf oil and gas development. In 1980, Captain Buck was named as the first director of the Governor's Energy Office. He was responsible for administering the state's energy conservation, efficiency, and alternative and renewable energy programs. He initiated a program to convert state vehicles to compressed natural gas and was responsible for installing the first wind turbine in Rhode Island on Block Island. Later, Buck was a director of the re-named Governor's Office of Energy Assistance, where he managed all energy programs affecting business, industry, schools, and hospitals.
After retiring from the State of Rhode Island, Captain Buck served as an energy consultant for the Governor's Office of Housing, Energy and Intergovernmental Relations, working on special projects, such as District Heating and Cooling, Biomass Energy, Natural Gas Vehicles, and Water Conservation and Renewable Energy Programs.
In 1988, Captain Buck was named Executive Director of The Energy Council of Rhode Island (TEC-RI), a non-profit consortium of the major energy users in Rhode Island. He spearheaded efforts to change energy policy, advocated for fairly priced and environmentally sound electricity for all consumers and a reduction of oil imports by expanded use of natural gas.
During the 1990s, Captain Buck was elected President of the Newport Taxpayers Association, which developed a Blueprint for Responsible Government. He served on the R.I. Greenhouse gas stakeholders group that analyzed cost-effective actions to reduce carbon dioxide in the state. He also served on the "Newport Goes Green" Task Force, charged to create a City Climate Action Plan.
Captain Buck's love of the game of baseball lasted a lifetime. He has been an active Naval Academy Athletic Association member, participating in alumni games and fundraisers for the USNA baseball program with his son, Bruce (USNA Class of 1977, who was also captain of the Navy baseball team). Captain Buck was instrumental in fundraising for the new Max Bishop Memorial Baseball Stadium at the U.S. Naval Academy, and in the installation of plaques to honor baseball captains under Coach Max Bishop.
As a retiree, Captain Buck was an avid gardener and grew tomatoes and hybrid tea roses, which won first prize in the 2002 Newport Flower Show. He was a member of the Naval War College and Newport Hospital Foundations, the Newport Historical Society, and the Preservation Society of Newport County.
Captain Buck was a communicant at Jesus Saviour Church in Newport, where his wife, Muriel, served as organist for 45 years. Captain Buck's pride and joy was his family. In addition to Muriel to whom he was married for 71 years, his survivors are their four children and spouses, Brian R. Buck (Lisa) of Bristol, R.I.; Bruce J. Buck (Linda) of Crofton, Maryland; Sheila B. Gibson (Thomas) of Alexandria, Virginia; and Kevin R. Buck (Robyn) of Middletown, R.I.; and six grandchildren, Paul R. Buck (Julie), David B. Buck (Julianne Krous), James F. Gibson, (Abby), Carolyn M. G. Khoury (Michel), Alison W. Buck, and Emily K. Buck, two great grandsons, Malakai S. Buck and Wyatt E. R. Buck, and one great granddaughter, Caelyn K. Buck.
He leaves two sisters, Janet B. Haskell and Christine B. Owens (Larry), two brothers, Richard E. Buck (Meg) and Curtis W. Buck (Rita); as well as Michael and Karin Hill and their children, Sasha, and Trevor; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sister, Louise B. Stupack.
Calling hours will be held, Tuesday, September 28, 2021 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 9:30 am in Jesus Saviour Church, 509 Broadway, Newport, RI. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Franklin Street, Mansfield, MA.
On behalf of the family, masks are required for all services, regardless of vaccination status.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Jesus Saviour Church, 1 Vernon Avenue, Newport, RI 02840 or Catholic Charities.
Tributes
"I just saw this news and my heart goes out to the entire Buck family, and especially you Mrs. Buck. You and Capt. Buck are a shining example of a beautiful marriage, and I always loved seeing you...it helped set an example for me as a young man."
"I met Mr. Buck when my husband owned a roofing company and he did your roof. I?m so sorry for his passing. He was a very nice man and left a lasting impression on me. You all will be in my prayers. Patty Patterson"
"Dear Muriel and family I'm so sorry to hear belatedly of cousin Roger's death. I saw the notice Saturday on the senior center website after returning from a week away. He was such a modest man; I was deeply impressed by his many accomplishments, most of which I hadn't known about, but most of all that he was a truly good man, as you know better than anyone. I hope you find comfort and support from family and loved-ones in this very difficult time. My prayers are with you. Peter Mullen "
"I was one of his son Bruce?s roommates at USNA. I served as George Herbert Walker Bush?s Naval Aide. After he lost the 92 election Roger gave me a clipping of the box score of a Navy/Yale baseball game they had played in together. Roger thought it might cheer the President up a bit, which it truly did Bush noted neither he nor Roger got a hit in the game. He wrote Roger a letter to thank him for the clipping noting neither of them had a good bat. Roger greatly appreciated the note "
"To the entire extended Buck Family, but most especially the lovely Muriel: Beth and I are so sorry for the loss of your wonder Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend and Mentor. Roger was a tremendous man and inspiration to all who had the pleasure to know or work with him. He was a truly Great American and just a wonderful man. Our prayers are with you all and we hope the many great memories of your times together will sustain you through this difficult time. My enduring memory is one of Roger, sitting at the Goat Island piano bar during a "Sexy Sadie" songfest, watching - as proud as a peacock - as his beloved Soulmate and extraordinarily talented Muriel - elegantly and flawlessly sang song after song Sadie played. This was the night before my ship's commissioning ceremony and, as I recall, I had to take my leave from you two party animals at 0200, lest I doze off during the fast approaching festivities.. Roger's proud smile as I departed probably confirmed his suspicion that Bruce and I never REALLY had a Plebe year!). A Giant among men, he will be sorely missed until we meet again. "
"My sincere condolences to you, Mrs. Buck, to Sheila, and to the Buck family. "
"Curt, Rita and the Buck family I?m so sorry for your loss. May Roger RIP forever with much love and respect. Coopie "
"Our sincere sympathy is extended to Muriel and the entire Buck family on the passing of dear Roger. A true officer and a gentleman in every sense of the word whose family exemplifies the values that he demonstrated. His legacy will go on through his children and his leadership as a great American. God bless the entire Buck family. "
"Roger was a mentor, friend and supporter. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to Muriel, Sheila and family. "
"Our thoughts and prayers to Muriel and family in the Passing of Rioger. Roger and Muriel were so gracious to our youth group, Operation Friendship in arranging Our youth group a tour of Newport?s Naval Academy. Peace Be With You, Ron and Barbara Cedarfield "
"A gentleman to the tee.. one of the most honorable men I ever knew.. and he had such a dry wit.. He was the host of many of Muriel?s Choir parties.. a woman of grace and strength.. all my love to Muriel and the Family.. "
"Dear Kevin, Mrs.Buck and Family. So very sorry to read about Dear Mr. Buck. he was such a kind gentleman. I hold many happy memories of us all at the Old Mug Lounge listening to Saucy Silvia..,and coming to your home for my piano lessons. My every sympathy to you all. Love Chris Hyder"