Vernon E. "Rick" Buck

Longtime Emporia attorney and lifetime Emporian Vernon E. “Rick” Buck died Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at Newman Regional Health.  He was 71 years of age.

Rick was born January 8, 1953, the elder son of Vernon H. and Norma J. (Dowell) Buck. His brother, Chad C. Buck of Emporia, survives.

He was a graduate of Emporia High School (1971), Emporia State University (1975), and Washburn University School of Law (1978).

After approximately a year practicing law in Abilene, Kansas with two Washburn classmates, Rick moved back to Emporia and worked at Admire Bank of Emporia as a trust officer.  In 1980 he opened his own private practice and was in solo practice practice until 1997 when he joined the Lyon County Attorney’s Office as an assistant county attorney under Joe Lee.  Rick worked for Lyon County until 2013, when he resigned and taught business law at Emporia State University for one semester as an adjunct professor. He then re-opened his private law practice, operating out of the Law Offices of Stan Ausemus.

Rick was an avid baseball fan (KC Royals, of Course!) and also playedand coached the Howe House Griffons, Emporia’s Vintage Baseball team (Team motto: Gloves are for wimps’).  He was also a Chiefs’ fan (who isn’t) and followed KU and K-State athletics.

Rick was an active member of Emporia Presbyterian Church, ushering almost every Sunday for over fifty years, a member of the Church Session and the church treasurer.  He loved the church and it’s congregants.

Rick was also an enthusiastic member of the Flint Hills Optimist Club, rarely missed a meeting and penned  a award-winning, legendary newsletter for the club. He was also a member of The Acacia Fraternity, and relished their annual reunions. He also delivered meals to shut-ins for several years for Meals on Wheels.

Rick never did anything halfway, he gave his all in all that he did. He will be missed.

Funeral Services will be at the Emporia Presbyterian Church on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. with burial to follow in the Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia.

Memorials have been established with the Emporia Salvation Army or Friendship Meals, contributions sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.