Obituary of Austin Buck

Charles Austin Buck died on November 20th at the age of 86 in his home in Bernardsville, NJ, surrounded by his family. Mr. Buck was born on Nov 26, 1929 , the son of Leonard Jerome Buck and Helen Rouss Buck of Far Hills, NJ. He is survived by his sisters: Nancy Buck Pyne and Martha Buck Bartlett; his wife of 58 years: Marguerite Doubleday Buck; his three children: Belinda Buck Kielland, Wendy Buck Brown, and Leonard Jerome Buck; and 7 grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved spaniels Aurora and Tug and is survived by Tut. Mr. Buck graduated from St Marks School, received his BS from the University of Virginia School of Engineering in 1951, and an MS in Chemistry from Lehigh University in 1953. He served for two years in the US Army. He remained an engaged Virginia alumnus and fostered a continuing familial connection to Mr. Jefferson’s University through successive generations. Mr. Buck married Marguerite Doubleday on Feb 8, 1958. Their marriage was formed in love and bound together by a commitment stronger than its inevitable challenges. Mr. Buck was a devoted husband and father; he loved nothing quite so much as gathering for special occasions and his curiosity of spirit led the family on memorably inspiring journeys. Mr. Buck was an active member in the three communities they enjoyed, Bernardsville, NJ, Blooming Grove, PA and Spring Island, SC. As a businessman, Mr. Buck continued the family mineral import and export company Leonard J. Buck & Co. and, in partnership with Capt. Harlan Hall, founded Hall-Buck Marine, a shipping and marine services business that operated terminals throughout the country. After forming an ESOP to benefit their employees, Hall-Buck was sold to Kinder Morgan in 1998. Mr. Buck cared passionately about education and the environment. He was generous in his support of many institutions including Wave Hill, Morven Museum and Garden and The Atlantic Salmon Federation. He also gave of his time, serving on the Boards of the Ethel Walker School, Blooming Grove Hunting & Fishing Club, the Morristown Club and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. His good works continue through a family foundation. Mr. Buck was an accomplished sportsman who enjoyed the pursuits of fly fishing and hunting upland birds. His long quest for salmon was piqued but not sated by a record 46.2 pound salmon on the the Lærdal River in Norway. Those who knew and loved him will always look for him in the magnificent wilderness of the Pennsylvania woods and along the restless waters of the Miramichi. All who met Mr. Buck were touched by his boundless energy, his relentless enthusiasm and his unquenchable good cheer. Those he leaves behind are called to shine a bit brighter to take his place in the light. A service will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bernardsville NJ on Tuesday, November 29 at 10 o’clock. A memorial celebration will be held in New York city after the holiday season. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of his charities.