MIDDLEBURY — Buck passed away peacefully on Oct. 23, 2020, surrounded by children and grandchildren. He was born in Syracuse, N.Y., on March 11, 1936, to Joseph P. Rogers, Sr. and Helen (Montgomery) Rogers. He moved to Middlebury, Vt., in 2007.
Buck graduated from The Manlius School in 1954, Yale University in 1958 and Fordham University Law School in 1969. After serving in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant (JG) on the USS Edmonds and practicing as a Certified Public Account, he joined the law firm of Hawkins Delafield & Wood in 1969 as an associate. In 1977 he became a member of the firm. He became counsel to the firm from 2004 until his retirement in 2018. During his years at the firm he specialized in all phases of federal income taxation. He became nationally known for his expertise in single and multi-family financing and co-authored a book entitled the ABC’s of Housing Bonds.
His hobbies included hiking, skiing and playing the piano. After moving to Middlebury he became an active member of St. Mary’s Church. His volunteer activities included teaching religious education at St. Mary’s Church in Middlebury, serving on the Board of St. Mary’s School, serving as a Guardian Ad Litem, working with residents at the local nursing home and, during his summer vacation, lending a helping hand to the De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, Mont. He was known for his quick humor, his infectious smile and his kind and compassionate spirit. Most of all, he loved being with his children, grandchildren, family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Laurene; his sister Jane “Chicken” Corcoran and her spouse Robert; his children Tobin Rogers, Lars Patenaude and his wife Charlene, Signe Ulsamer and her husband Jeff; his stepson John Hanley and his wife Laura Obregon; his seven grandchildren Kanoa, Talula, Camas, Poppy, Clementine, Lena, and Adela; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Helen and his brother Otto.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church in Middlebury on Saturday Nov. 14, 2020, at 10 a.m. followed by the burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Mary’s Church, 326 College Street, Middlebury, VT 05753; the De La Salle Blackfeet School, 104 First Street NW, Browning, MT, 59417; or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 3 International Drive, Suite 200, Rye Brook, NY 10573.
Online condolences at sandersonfuneralservice.com.◊