Richard E. Buck, 75, a Montco politician

Richard E. Buck, 75, of Wyndmoor, former president of the Springfield Township Board of Commissioners in Montgomery County, died of complications from cancer Sunday at Keystone Hospice in Wyndmoor.

In 1983, when Mr. Buck ran for commissioner, he told a reporter that his candidacy was not a move for change. "I am thrilled to death with the way the township is run," he said. "I want to see things keep going right."

A Republican, Mr. Buck remained on the board until 1992, and served as its president for six years. He was a resident of Springfield for more than 40 years.

After graduating from the Villanova University School of Law in 1972, he established a general law practice in Norristown. The office later moved to Wyndmoor and then Flourtown, and became Richard E. Buck & Associates. His specialty was real estate and estate law.

Mr. Buck was concerned about preservation and conservation issues. In 1999, as president of the Springfield Township Historical Society, he led an effort to buy the 32-acre Wharton Sinkler estate. Though the effort failed, in 2002, 18 acres of the property were protected as open space in an agreement between a private buyer and the township.

A native of Westwood, Mass., Mr. Buck earned a bachelor's degree from Brown University, where he met his future wife, Anne Wivel. He worked for banks in Staten Island, N.Y., and in Philadelphia before attending law school.

Mr. Buck served on the boards of La Salle College High School and the Artman Lutheran Home in Ambler, and was past president of the Philadelphia Cricket Club. He won super-senior golf championships at the club in 2005, 2006, and 2007. He enjoyed following professional ice hockey, watching sprint-car races, fine wines, and word puzzles.

He treasured his New England roots and vacations on Cape Cod, his daughter Karin said. He remained a Boston Red Sox fan, she said, though he was conflicted because his son David works for the Phillies organization. On Saturday, hours before he died, Mr. Buck and his family watched the Red Sox play the Phillies. When the Red Sox won, Karin said, David shouted across the room, "OK, Dad, you can have this win."

In addition to his wife of 53 years, son, and daughter, Mr. Buck is survived by daughters Tricia Horter and Leslie; sons Richard and Steven; and 18 grandchildren.

A memorial celebration will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Militia Hill Course, 401 Stenton Ave., Plymouth Meeting.

Memorial donations may be made to the Robert S. Buck Lecture Series, Wildlands Trust, Box 2282, Duxbury, Mass. 02331.