Robert S. "Buddy" Risman

Risman, Robert S. "Buddy"

Jun 8, 1927 -

Born to Harold and Doris Risman, age 98, was a lifelong resident of Buffalo, New York. A member of the "Greatest Generation," after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II, Mr. Risman's proactiveness in business and politics in Buffalo spanned several decades, starting with the founding of an advertising agency, named after him, in the early 1950's, a company well known and respected in the Buffalo business community, and which he headed up into his 90's. During this time span, Mr. Risman served as an energetic and passionate supporter of community service and was a key member of numerous political, community, and civic boards, and served as an honorary Erie County deputy sheriff. His better known contributions to Buffalo included bringing and activating the "911" emergency phone number to the community in the 1960's, and the founding of Westwood Country Club and the Fantasy Island Amusement Park. He also was the creative genius behind the "Fun? Wow!" Fantasy Island amusement park advertising campaign in the late 1970's, a coined phrase still used by many Buffalonians to this day. He also was one of the individuals who saved the Torah from the Temple Beth Zion fire of the early 1960s, which completely destroyed the temple on Delaware Avenue. Mr. Risman was an ardent supporter of the arts, was fluent in French, was a lover of fine music and patron of Kleinhans music Halls Pops concerts and was a frequent visitor to France as well as a world traveler. He is survived by his wife, physician Dr. Foong Ming Lam-Risman; and two children, Michael D. Risman and Richard Risman. Services will be held on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 1 p.m., at AMHERST MEMORIAL CHAPEL LLC., 281 Dodge Road, Getzville, New York.