Roger Buck died unexpectedly at his home, apparently as the result of a fall on Sunday, July 13, 2014. He was 67 years old.
Roger was born in Los Angeles, CA and grew up in Bountiful, Utah, graduating from Bountiful High in 1965. Following a Mormon mission to Switzerland and Lebanon (he learned to speak German and Arabic), Roger attended the University of Utah, where he earned a bachelors degree in psychology.
Upon graduation he moved to San Francisco, CA, where he worked at various jobs, including manager of a European Health Spa. Before long he applied to and was accepted at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, and then California State University, Hayward, obtaining two masters degrees in psychology.
Subsequently, he worked as a psychologist in the Bay Area for a number of years and was highly regarded by his colleagues for his skills. He worked with children, was a marriage and family counselor, a school psychologist, and part of a mobile crisis team. In recent years he had returned to Utah and was living in the Avenues in Salt Lake City.
Roger is an unforgettable character for all who knew him: intelligent, witty, passionate, opinionated, charismatic and a bit devilish. He lived life on his own terms, which included actively protesting the Vietnam War and leaving the Mormon Church when he came to doubt some of its teachings. He was also compassionate, especially towards children, homeless people and animals. His rescue golden retriever Minnie was his constant companion and accompanied him on daily walks in the Avenues and the foothills above Salt Lake City. He enjoyed great literary works and particularly liked the novels of Fyodor Dostoyevski and Hermann Hesse. His favorite rock group of all time was The Who; and his favorite city was San Francisco.
Roger was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his brother Brent, who lives in San Francisco. At Roger's request, there will be no funeral or other service. He will be remembered. That is enough.
