Erwin L. Buck

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.