Richard Lee Buck

Richard Lee Buck The funeral service for Richard Lee Buck, 76, of Union, Ill., will be held at at 11 a.m. Saturday Dec. 9, at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. Huntley. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the church. Born Dec. 23, 1929, in Des Plaines, to Charlotte and Hugo Buck of Des Plaines, he died Saturday Dec. 2, 2006, at Alden Poplar Creek Rehabilitation Center in Hoffman Estates. Richard graduated from Iowa State College in 1952 with a degree in landscape architecture. Richard was a veteran of the Korean conflict, serving with the U.S. Army's First Armored Division from 1953 to 1955. On Dec. 3, 1955, he married Doris H Carlson. Richard began his career with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County in 1952 and for the next 35 years honorably served the people of the County of Cook. He was instrumental in the development of the recreational facilities of the district, most notably, the highly successful bicycle trail system, the development of golf courses and practice ranges and the Busse Lake Recreational and Flood Control Complex, to name just a few. His active participation in the preservation of natural areas, prairies, wetlands and nature preserves has gained him and the district the respect of conservationists throughout the country. His career, spanning four decades, has produced a better environment in which to play, to study, to live for the people of the County of Cook and all future generations. Richard Retired in 1988. Richard was an avid gardener, both personally and professionally. His early interest in horticulture guided him throughout his life. His experiences included beautiful vegetable and flower gardens, dairy goats, rabbits, chickens and bees. As a volunteer for the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program, he was cited as State Outstanding Master Gardener in 1993. Richard was an active church member throughout his life, singing in the choir, serving on the various boards and teaching Sunday School. He is survived by his six children and ten grandchildren; son, David B. (Patty) Buck of Hampshire; daughter, Susan (Gary) Jenson of Union; son, Robert L. (Jill) Buck of Holmen, Wis.; son, Jon K. (Karen) Buck of Evergreen Colo.; daughter, Jane (Seth) Colby of Woodstock; son, Todd A. (Janet) Buck of Lombard; grandchildren, Ryan of Union, Susan Williams of Lincoln Neb., Anthony and Austin Buck of Hampshire, Karl and Jake Buck of Evergreen, Colo., Leslie Buck of Holmen, Wis., and Shane, Emma and Sarah Colby of Woodstock. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Doris; his parents, Charlotte and Hugo; his brother, Bruce; and sister, Joyce. Memorial gifts can be made in his name to the "Love Fund" at the First Congregational Church of Huntley IL.