NELSON D. BUCK

1937 - 2014

NELSON DEAN BUCK July 2, 1937 ~ November 3, 2014 Nelson Dean Buck died peacefully on November 3, 2014, surrounded by members of his family, at the age of 77. Nelson is survived by his wife of 57 years Sylvia Buck; his children Penny Lou Bertsch (Buck), Chico, CA,; Amy Lynn Buck, Fiddletown, CA; Douglas Nelson Buck, Jacksonville, FL; Elizabeth Ann Buck, San Francisco, CA and his grandson, Adam Douglas Bertsch, Livermore, CA. He is preceded in death by his mother Helen Overton (Friess) Mishawaka, Ind. who passed in 2009 at the age of 95. Nelson was extraordinary in too many ways to count. Those who knew him understand the depth of his intelligence, courage and strength, as well as his devotion to the things he held dear, including his beloved wife Sylvia, his children, his long and meaningful friendships, his country, and the county of Tehama. Nelson was born on July 2, 1937 in Mishawaka,Indiana. He came by his work ethic early, as he and his brother helped their mother run a laundry business from their basement. When he was in high school he began working one, then two shifts at the nearby American Tire and Rubber Company, as well as participating in the Naval Reserves. He graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1956 and then took the Indiana state Chemistry test, scoring number one in the state. After graduation, Nelson enrolled in active duty in the Navy, and served honorably on the Destroyer Tender, USS Rankin from 1956-1960. In 1956 he met, and then in 1957 he married, his truly beloved, Sylvia Jane Wiggins of South Bend, Indiana. After Nelson left the Navy with honorable discharge in 1961, he began working at Bendix Corporation in Saint Louis, MI. He was promoted to Field Service Engineer and relocated Sylvia and his first born daughter, Penny to Pomona, CA. He received another promotion while at Bendix to Supervisor, Field Engineering and transferred to the Seal Beach Naval Weapons station, working on the guidance systems for the TALOS ship to air missile. It was during this time period that Nelson and Sylvia had 3 more children. Nelson had a long cherished goal of becoming a lawyer and in 1969 was accepted into the Western State University College of Law in Anaheim, CA, where he attended classes at night and on weekends. He graduated in 1973, adding a law degree to his list of accomplishments. After graduation Nelson built a private law practice, but his true calling was public service. He moved into government law, serving as a Deputy District Attorney of San Bernadino County. In the late 70's, decided to tackle another goal, which was to move his family out of what he called the "rat race". At his core, Nelson had a deep love and appreciate for the natural world and he wanted a simpler, more connected life for himself and his family. Nelson achieved his goal, and arrived in Red Bluff as a new Deputy D.A. for Tehama County in December of 1979. When he first arrived there was no County Counsel position. In 1986 the county saw the need for a separate County Counsel's office, and Nelson became the first Tehama County Counsel serving proudly for the next 17 years. Among his many professional accomplishments, he shepherded Tehama County into the computer age, writing the grant that allowed Tehama County to be the first County in California to receive grant money for a computer system. Nelson was alsoco-creator of the first county counsel's computer bulletin board, which later became the networking system called COCONET, short for county counsel net. Nelson's devotion to his work and Tehama County is reflected in his own words. At the conclusion of his retirement letter to the county, he stated: "Life rarely enables a person to be able to do the exact work he wants to do in a location he and his family love. I consider myself blessed because I have had that pleasure." After retiring in 2003, Nelson continued to participate in the life of the community as much as possible, while managing the lasting impact of Esophageal cancer. He settled into a new role as "armchair" philosopher, with friends and family stopping by to discuss the news of the day, arcane facts of military history, golf, the progress of events in Tehama County, and much more. His intellect and curiosity never faltered, and to the last he remained fully engaged in the world around him. It is ours now, to move forward without Nelson, the husband, the father, the friend, the intellect, the peacemaker, and the patriarch, to cherish what he gave us, and remember the pattern he set for the world. Rest in Peace. The family would like to thank the many people who have supported and cared for Nelson over the recent years, including Tammy Joseph, Richard and Lana Scheuler, Thomas Hilligan and Family, Bob Conatser and Family, Rebecca Bovee and Family, Sally, Shane and Kyle Young, Lori Hale, Lisa Elliott, Dr. Don Mansell, and Dr. Richard Wickenheiser, just to name a few. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for November 23, 2014 from 1 - 4 pm in Red Bluff, CA. Please RSVP to 530-529-3724. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a charity of your choice, the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org), and/or the Red Bluff Hospice store (320 S. Main Street, Red Bluff, CA 96080).