Roman Carpenter

Buck was the fifth of seven children born to Fred and Elizabeth (nee Schmelzer) Carpenter on September 15, 1921. He was born in the house his father built, which still stands at the corner of Regent and Ash Streets. His family was bilingual (English and German). He attended Blessed Sacrament grade school in the original building on Hollister Avenue, with four classrooms and two grades in each room, on the second floor above the church. As a boy, he watched West High School being built and graduated from West. Beginning at about age eight, Buck and his brother Fritz spent a few summers on the farm of his aunt and uncle, Juliana and Frank Rodenschmidt. He loved it there and learned so much from his uncle - working a team of horses in the field and the care of chickens and dairy cows. This was the beginning of his interest in agriculture, which led to the pursuit of a master's degree in agriculture from UW-Madison, or "Cow College" as Buck called it. His college education was interrupted by World War II. He enlisted in the Army in July of 1942 and served his country as a supply sergeant outside of Calcutta India, on the India-China-Burma pipeline. Back in Madison, he completed his college education and met the love of his life, Virginia Dyas. Buck and Ginny were married on October 29, 1949 and celebrated 62 years together. Six children were born of their marriage.

Buck was a hard worker, devoted husband and family man. His family heritage was important to him, as was his community and the family he and Ginny created. Buck worked for Oscar Mayer for 30 plus years as a food scientist, often trying out on his family the new tastes he was developing. Except for four years that the family spent in Philadelphia, his entire career at Oscar Mayer was in Madison. For many years he grew a large backyard garden, which put fresh vegetables on the family table. He enjoyed cooking on weekends, particularly his all-day spaghetti sauce in the winter, and grilled marinated beef in the summer. He loved to sing and his rich deep voice was part of the Blessed Sacrament men's choir and funeral choir for many years. In recent months, Buck delighted in playing his harmonica for his great-grandson, following in his tradition of playing beautifully for his children and grandchildren. Buck often took his kids fishing in a rowboat off Picnic Point on early summer mornings, or swimming in Lake Wingra to cool off after a hot day. He and Ginny were friendly to all and very involved in Blessed Sacrament's many parish activities. Like Buck, all their children graduated from the grade school. Buck and Ginny took their family on many day trips to historical sites throughout Wisconsin. Buck traveled to Spain with our old Keyes Avenue neighbor; Buck and Ginny traveled to Jamaica and Ireland more than once and enjoyed many get-togethers with extended family, especially in the Illinois/Iowa/Wisconsin areas. Buck and Ginny had different political views, which made for lively and educational dinner table discussions. Buck donated an astounding total of 37 gallons of blood over many years (he often said he was glad they didn't take it all at once). Buck was an avid reader, particularly of history, and an active user of the Madison Public Libraries. Everyone who met Buck knows that he had a great sense of humor and always had a joke or two at the ready and that he always enjoyed a good joke himself.

Buck is survived by his wife Ginny, daughter, Dilsha Anne (John) Happel of Thornton, CO, son, Jim (Sherry) of Madison, WI, daughter-in-law, Diana Krause of Oregon, WI, daughter, Sara (Rob) May of Scarborough, ME, daughter, Rose of Madison, WI, and son, Bob (Vicky Heinz) of Spring Green, WI; also ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Buck is also survived by his sister, Betty (Ken) Brown of Sarasota, FL and his brother, Harold (Betty) of Oshkosh, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters Agnes, Joe, Dorothy and Fritz, and his son Steve.

Buck was a life-long member of Blessed Sacrament Church, and attended his last service there on Christmas Eve 2011, just days before his passing. In his final act of generosity, he donated his body to the UW-Madison Medical School.

A Memorial Mass will take place on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, on Rowley Avenue in Madison. There will be a visitation in the church from 9:30 to 10:30 before the Mass and a luncheon in the church friary after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Buck's name are appreciated to Blessed Sacrament Church or School or to Jewish Social Services of Madison.

The family thanks the staff of The Arbors at Oak Park Place.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7