Richard K. Buerk ’56

Dick died June 19, 2004, at his Buffalo home.

Classmate John Butsch wrote: "The last few years were tough on him. … He was wheelchair-bound and wasn't able to communicate well. He suffered from complications of diabetes, but was always upbeat and had his warm smile. … We will miss him as he had done a lot for our city."

At Princeton, Tiger Inn was especially blessed by Dick's good-natured humor. He played club hockey and softball, and majored in psychology, later earning graduate degrees from the University of Delaware and University of Buffalo.

Until retirement two years ago, he headed Buerk Tool and Machine Corp., founded in 1919 by his grandfather, Hans Buerk. A tireless fighter for small business, he served on the State University Advisory Board on Small Business Development Centers, on the Small-Business Council of the Old Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce, and as a director of the Buffalo Area Leadership Group.

Also active in dealing with mental-health issues, Dick served as chairman of the Erie County [N.Y.] Mental Health Advisory Board.

The class extends sympathy to all Dick's family: his wife, Caroline; his mother, Bernice; sister Linda Matt; six stepchildren; and nine grandchildren.

The Class of 1956