Ronald Leigh Buck

Ronald Leigh Buck, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully in his home at Anthology of Midlothian Senior Living on August 7, 2022, surrounded by the love of his family.  Ron was a kind, caring, and sensitive human being. His love for his family and friends was evident in his deeds and words. He believed fiercely in the inherent worth and dignity of every person and worked to make our world more just, kind, and tolerant. He found a “home” for his beliefs and view of the world in Unitarian Universalism. He was a longtime member of the Unitarian Church of Norfolk, now known as Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalists (CVUU).

Ron grew up and lived most of his 89 years in Norfolk, moving to Richmond in 2019 to be closer to his children and grandchildren as he and Barbara “aged”.  He met Barbara when he moved next door to her family in the 4^th grade. While they would not become the love of each other’s life until a few years after high school, she says she had “eyes for him” in grade school.  After graduating from Maury High School, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he went to work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, rising to the position of Senior Engineering Technician, serving with distinction until his retirement in 1993. In his retirement application he wrote, “There are things I want to do before I die. I want to write a few poems, read stories to my grandchildren, maybe help build houses for the poor; teach someone to read for the first time. Who knows, I may even decide what I want to be when I grow up.” He would do all this and more! 

He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest R. and Florence Buck; and brothers Robert, Ernest, Lewis, and Earl Buck. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; sister, Marion Rogers; his son, Chris (Leslie); daughter, Suzanne Short (Warren); and grandchildren, Erin, Kyle and Laurey Buck; Matthew and Alexandra Short.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to one of the following:

Star Island Annual Fund Morton-Benedict House 30 Middle St. Portsmouth, NH 03801 or online at starisland.org; Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalists 809 S. Military Hwy Virginia Beach, VA 23464 (note offering to general fund in memo line for check); the ACLU; or Habitat for Humanity.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalists on Saturday September 24, 2022, at 2pm. It was his wish to be cremated and have his ashes spread in the many places he loved and places he always wanted to go but didn’t get the chance. Farewell Ron, to a life well lived!  Known and loved by many, you will be missed.

Shalom.