Robert O. Buck

RUPERT - Robert O. Buck, 86, of Rupert, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, May 22, 2011. Born April 16, 1925, in West Rupert, Vt., he was the son of the late Ezra Sheldon and Florence (Graves) Buck. Mr. Buck was a 1949 graduate of Salem Washington Academy. He went on to enlist in the U.S. Navy serving during World War II in the Naval Air Division Pacific Theater. Following his discharge from the U.S. Navy, he went on to attend Hartford Hairdressing School in Hartford, Conn., and also Hairstyling School in California.

Robert was a hairdresser for four years from 1948 until 1952. He then went to work for General Electric Co. in Ludlow, Vt., and then Rutland, Vt., in the Aircraft Division at both locations from 1952 until 1963. In 1963, he became an insurance agent for Mutual of Omaha where he sold health, disability and life insurance from 1963 until 1988. In 1981, Robert and his wife, Natalie, purchased the Coin Op Car Wash in Granville which they currently maintained. Robert and his wife raised their children in Wallingford, Vt., where they lived from 1948 until 1978. He and his wife moved to Granville where they lived from 1978 until 1991. At that time, they moved to Rupert where they currently resided.

Robert was a model for Norman Rockwell and appeared on 11 Saturday Evening Post covers as Willie Gillis during the 1940s. Robert enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, boating, water skiing, snowmobiling, and his most enjoyable passion was golf. He had many holes-in-one. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Wallingford, Vt., where he served as commander. Robert then joined the American Legion Post in Granville and then finally transferred membership to the American Legion Post in Poultney, Vt., where he was a life member. He had a membership total of 61 years with the three Posts. Robert and Natalie wintered in Port Charlotte, Fla., for the past 23 years.

Robert is survived by his wife of 61 years, Natalie Barden Buck, whom he married June 4, 1949; his three sons and their wives, Thomas Raymond and Kathy Buck of Hoosick Falls, N.Y., John Scott and Martha Ann Buck of West Rutland, Vt., and David Robert and Jacqueline Buck of Rupert, Vt. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kerrie Buck, Daniel Buck, Kristen Buck and Clayton Buck; two step-grandchildren, Joseph McNamara and Ryan McNamara; a great-grandson, Noah Buck; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his brother, Raymond Buck, and a sister-in-law, Elsie Lourie Buck.

It was Robert's request that funeral services are private.

Those who wish to remember Robert in a special way may make memorial contributions in his memory to the Rupert Fire Dept., Rupert, VT 05768; or the Salem Rescue Squad, PO Box 360, Salem, NY 12865.

To share a memory of Robert, please visit www.mcclellangariepy.com.

The Buck family is being assisted by James M. Gariepy of the McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home Inc., 19 East Broadway, Salem, N.Y.