Obituary of Edward F. Buck

STOCKHOLM - Edward F. Buck, 78, died April 7, 2012. He was born June 3, 1933, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Cecilia (Tiernan) Buck and Edward F. Buck. His father died when he was 11/2 years old, and he and his mother and brother lived with his grandparents on their farm in upstate New York. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1953 and served as a weather observer at Thule Air Base in Greenland. He then entered the Aviation Cadet Program and was a distinguished graduate, commissioned as a lieutenant with the rating of navigator. He was a KC-97 and KC-135 navigator and an instructor navigator. Some of his duties included multiple tours of duty in Vietnam, both flying and ground duties. Decorations include the Bronze Star, two air medals, three meritorious service medals, commendation medal, seven Vietnam service medals, Republic of Vietnam campaign medal and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross. He retired in 1986 as a lieutenant colonel, master navigator with 33 years of service. During his off-duty time in the Air Force, he earned a master's degree in history - which he used after retirement to teach history courses for the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Husson College. He was proud of the filly trotter, Upsala Kestrel, that he raised and raced and who was the fastest 2- and 3-year-old filly trotter in the state of Maine. He is survived by his loving wife, Maria; one daughter, Katherine Whitson and her husband, Johnny, and son, Ayden; and one brother, Robert of Baldwinsville, N.Y. At his request, there will be no services. Interment will be a family affair. An honor guard ceremony will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Caribou. "When I am, death is not And when death is, I am not." - Epicurus