Erwin L. Buck, 80, retired Britt attorney, died Friday, March 24, 1995, at North
Iowa Mercy Health Center East, Mason City. Erwin, the son of Floyd and Ethel
(Van Pelt) Buck, was born December 10, 1914 in Grand Junction, Iowa. He
attended Drake University and the University of Iowa, and was a graduate of the
University of Iowa Law School, Class of 1939. His academic honors included Phi
Beta Kappa and Order of the Coif, and he graduated from the Law School with
distinction. In his senior year he was editor-in-chief of the Iowa Law Review.
He first practiced law in Burlington, Iowa, and in 1940 joined Frank Senneff in
Britt as an associate in the law firm established by Senneff's brother John in
1898. He was active in the practice, now conducted by his son John, until his
death. He was united in marriage with Mary Louise Trulson, daughter of Axel and
Clara (Peterson) Trulson of Britt on June 2, 1943 at New Ulm, Minnesota. The
couple made their home in Britt and had two children, Kathryn and John. Mr.
Buck served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the U.S. and in England during World
War II. Mary Buck died in 1972, and on September 18, 1973, he was united in
marriage with Laura Townsend of Britt.
In addition to his legal practice, he contributed his time and expertise to many
community projects including the founding of Hancock County Memorial Hospital
and Westview Care Center, both in Britt. He served for many years as Britt City
Attorney and secretary of the Britt School Board. He was an active member of
the local, state and American Bar Associations, Class Representative for the
University of Iowa Law School Foundation, and a member of Rotary International.
He was a member and served as a trustee of the Congregational United Church of
Christ and was also active in the United Methodist Church, both in Britt.
He was an avid golfer, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and for many years served as
the master of ceremonies at the coronation of king and queen of the hoboes as
Britt's National Hobo Convention.
His survivors include his wife, Laura of Britt; his daughter, Kathryn Buck of
New York City; and his son, John of Britt; daughters, Nancy and her husband, Al
Wilcox of Tampa, Florida, Sandy and her husband, Robert Ehrig of Nevada, Janine
and her husband, Brian Rawlings of Marshalltown; and son, Andrew Townsend and
his wife, Michelle of Dubuque. He is also survived by his sister, Mona Beddow,
of San Carlos, California; eight grandchildren, Sarah and Seth Buck of Britt,
Lisa and Erin Wilcox, Libby, Lisa and Dana Ehrig, and Adam Rawlings; and one
great-grandson, Ian Ehrig, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.