Marine Scientist John Buck, 71, Loved Camp Ground

Dr. John D. Buck, 71, of Groton Long Point and Longboat Key, Fla., died Dec. 6 following a stroke.

Mr. Buck was a professor emeritus of marine sciences at the University of Connecticut, where he earned his bachelor of arts and master of science with honors and distinction in bacteriology. He taught for 43 years at the Storrs Campus and the Avery Point branch.

He received his doctorate in marine sciences from the University of Miami, Virginia Key, Miami, Fla.

Distinguished in the fields of bacteriology, marine sciences and marine microbiology, he was a senior scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory.

John's association with Mote first began in the early 1980s as a marine microbiologist on sabbatical from the University of Connecticut.

He continued as an annual visiting investigator to Mote until 1992, when he became a senior scientist. He played an important leadership role as both a staff member and volunteer in helping to establish an active microbiology program at the lab.

He was chairman of the board of advisors and vice chairman of the board of governors for the Mystic Marinelife Aquarium. He was also a member of the board of trustees for the Sea Research Foundation, a member of the Council of Scientific Advisers for the Whale Study Center, and served for many years as task group chairman for the American Society of Testing & Materials. He was a member of many professional organizations as well, including as an emeritus, 50-year member of the American Society of Microbiology, and Sigma XI.

Mr. Buck has published collectively more than 100 articles in scientific journals, papers, and books. His particular research interests were distribution and ecology of aquatic yeasts, microbiological methods, microbial diseases of marine mammals, particularly in dolphins, whales and sharks, bacteria associated with elasmobranch fish, and human pathogens in the marine environment.

He was a classic marine microbiologist and a respected, dedicated teacher who took great pride in the accomplishments of his students. His colleagues at the University of Connecticut recall John's dedication to teaching undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom have gone on to successful professional careers.

John worked tirelessly as a researcher at the then-Noank Marine Research Laboratory and was very supportive in the development of marine science education programs, the Department of Marine Sciences, and in helping to establish Avery Point as the University of Connecticut's "marine campus." He will be sorely missed as a colleague and friend.

He established a microbiology program at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota and was an asset to Mote's red tide and marine mammal program. Mote President Kumar Mahadevan said: "He was a wonderful personal friend of mine and helped me understand the importance of microbiology for many of our research programs."

John was born in Hartford, Conn., and met his wife, Patty, at the Suffield Academy in the summer of 1955. They were married in Bristol, on Nov. 19, 1960, and divided their time together on the shore between Connecticut and Florida, and summers on Martha's Vineyard.

His interests were many and varied. A lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, John was finally rewarded with a national championship in 2004. When his son was young, he also was a coach for the Mystic Little League and Babe Ruth League. John had a passion for the history of the American circus, the Civil War, and lighthouses, particularly the East Chop Lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard, for which he was a docent. He also enjoyed his involvement in the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association on the Vineyard. One of his delights was to sit in his rocking chair of the porch of the gingerbread cottage and read countless books from the Oak Bluffs library. He also was pleased to share information about the Island and particularly the history of the Camp Ground with the many tourists passing by. In addition, John was a member of the Groton Long Point Yacht Club, and the Spanish Main Yacht Club on Longboat Key.

John was a member of the Noank Baptist Church for 40 years, where he served on the board of deacons and as chairman of the board of trustees. He was also a charter member of Christ Church Presbyterian of Longboat Key.

He was predeceased by an infant son, Jonathan Eyre Buck.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Jones Buck; a son, John Tanner Buck from Niantic, Conn., daughter Bethany Buck and partner, Judith Mitchell, from New York city and Groton Long Point, Conn., and daughter Kristin and Mark Desautelle from Darien, Conn. and Oak Bluffs; and two granddaughters, Morgan Elizabeth Desautelle and Tate Eyre Desautelle.

A memorial service to celebrate his life was held Dec. 10, in the Noank Baptist Church in Noank. Another memorial service will be held late in January on Longboat Key, Sarasota, Fla.

The family strongly asks, with gratitude, that no flowers are sent. Contributions may be made to the Dr. John D. Buck Memorial, established for the Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 City Island Park, Sarasota, FL 34236.