Rocketry Planet

Gary Buck hooks up the igniters to his rocket at GARLO 2003. Photo: Jonathan Sivier.

URBANA, Illinois USA — Gary Buck was a lifetime hobby rocketry enthusiast, a man who was loved by many and will be missed by more.  Buck died Sunday at 11:10AM after suffering a severe heart attack that occured while he was driving along in his truck.  Buck was able to pull off the road but unable to summon for help.

Buck was known around the Midwest as the owner of Rocket R&D, a well-known vendor of hobby rocketry products from back in the 90's.  Gary's Rocket R&D advertisements were iconic in most every issue of High Power Rocketry magazine at the time, the member magazine of the Tripoli Rocketry Association during that era.

Gary also served as prefect of Tripoli Central Illinois, the local prefecture of Tripoli, and was considered a fixture at area launches.

"He was one of the friendliest, hardest working, and most generous people I have ever known," said Lon Westfall, a midwestern high power flier and friend of Buck's. "He was my mentor for [high power rocketry]. I personally, will miss him a great deal."

The sentiment carried over various discussion forums and mailing lists as friends lamented the loss, reliving Buck's friendly, caring demeanor, discussing how he mentored flier after flier, helping them come to know and love the sport of hobby rocketry.

Funeral services will be at 1PM Tuesday at Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main Street, Arcola, Illinois. Burial will be in Arthur Cemetery, Arthur, Illinois. Visitation will be from noon to 1PM Tuesday at the funeral home.

Gary Buck was 63.