Who was Frank P. Buck, and why was the football field named after him?
by Rhonda Dedyne
That question has been asked multiple times in recent months during planning for the construction of a new field at St. Johns High School. As one of the “older” members of the school board, not in terms of tenure but age-wise, it seemed like I should know the answer.
I did – sort of.
I knew that Mr. Buck had served as a principal and teacher at St. Johns Public Schools for a number of years in the 1900s. I also remembered having seen a photograph in the Clinton County Republican-News when the “new gridiron” was dedicated in his honor in 1937. That was a good starting point, providing basic information on four of the five Journalism 101 tenets – who, what, where, when – but what about the why? When that new gridiron was built in 1937, why was it named for Frank P. Buck?
Some preliminary digging through files and books on local history that I’ve accumulated over the years provided a few more pieces of information, but it was clear that I needed help from some real historians. An email to Jean Martin, a friend and colleague whose St. Johns Independent web site serves our community so well, resulted in the wonderful photos that accompany this story, and Clinton County Historical Society member Lynn Gregory put me in touch with Myrna Van Epps. Her search at the Society’s archives yielded copies of several stories on Mr. Buck that were published in the News. Thanks to their help, here’s the “why” answer in the form of a brief history lesson on Frank P. Buck.
Born in Bengal Township June 8, 1870, Frank P. Buck entered St. Johns High School in 1889 and graduated with the class of 1893. The high school building at that time was generally referred to as the new Union School that had opened in 1886 – later called Central School, a well-known landmark in St. Johns until its closure in 1985 and subsequent demolition.
Perhaps the impression the new building had on the young student helped shape Frank’s lifelong commitment to education and the importance he placed on learning environments that produced well-rounded students, equipped mentally and physically to meet life’s challenges.
Frank’s personal love of learning prompted him to further his education at Grinnel College in Iowa and Olivet College prior to his graduation from the University of Michigan in 1899. He returned to his hometown, and that fall began a career that would span 40 years – most of it at St. Johns schools. After serving as a teacher and principal here until 1904, Frank accepted the principal’s job at Pontiac High School and was later named superintendent. Six years later in 1910, he returned to St. Johns once again, this time as superintendent.
The coming years would include a huge undertaking – construction of a new high school building – and Supt. Buck was clearly up for the challenge. Opening in 1925, Rodney B. Wilson High School offered the space and equipment that promoted student achievement in academics, athletics and the arts – the well-rounded student that the superintendent believed in. RBW’s classrooms, library, auditorium and gymnasium served thousands of students during Mr. Buck’s tenure and well beyond until the construction and opening of the current high school in the fall of 1969.
An article on the front page of the Clinton County Republican-News from April 25, 1925, demonstrates his commitment to excellence in education:
“Perhaps the man most interested in the erection of the new St. Johns High School was Supt. Frank P. Buck who spent a great deal of time and effort in helping to plan and arrange the work. Like every member of the district he is proud of the result and believes that the school will be worth to the community all that it cost.”
Failing health resulted in Frank leaving his post as superintendent in 1931, but he continued as a classroom teacher until his retirement in 1939. The country’s struggle during those years of the Great Depression was felt locally. A number of work projects within the city of St. Johns were undertaken, including an assortment of upgrades and additions to the St. Johns City Park. Funds from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped in the grading of the baseball field and construction of bleachers and dugout; grading for new tennis courts on the north side of the park; and a new football field.
When the gridiron was dedicated Oct. 8, 1937, the Clinton County Republican-News hailed its name of Frank P. Buck Field as a “fitting tribute to a man who for more than 30 years has been prominently identified with the public schools of St. Johns.”
The front page story goes on to report that, “Schools were closed during the afternoon and hundreds of townspeople joined with the entire student body in attending the dedication ceremony. The program opened at 2 p.m. with a giant parade that moved from the high school building through the business district and then to the park…. A crowd of 1,000 or more packed the gridiron stands.”
St. Johns Supt. C.W. Bemer served as master of ceremonies for the ceremony where G.G. Hunter, city attorney, dedicated the new field in Mr. Buck’s honor. The newspaper reports his comments on “the growing need of bodily training through the medium of athletics,” and cited “the efforts put forth by Mr. Buck in obtaining for St. Johns High School the opportunity for a well-rounded program of sports and games.”
No doubt Mr. Buck and all SJHS fans were thrilled when the home team won its debut game on the new field, defeating Ovid 25-6.
As Chairman of the Library Board, Frank Buck is shown at the entrance to the new Bement Public Library which opened on April 13, 1940.
His love for education and continuing commitment to his Alma Mater was noted in an obituary published in the Clinton County Republican-News after his death June 16, 1944.
“Since that time (his retirement in 1939) he has lived a quiet life, being frequently seen on the street and at school gatherings in which he never lost interest.
“It was during his term of 32 years as a teacher, principal and superintendent that many of the improvements and progress in the local schools were made, particularly the building of Rodney B. Wilson High School in 1924-25. A progressive educator, he possessed an unusual loyalty to this community where he lived as a boy and later came to service for such a long period. His passing marks the end of a long and remarkable career of serving the St. Johns Public Schools.”
Frank P. Buck – he sounds like quite a guy. What a wonderful role model for anyone, whatever their occupation.
Thanks to Jean, Lynn and Myrna for their contributions in answering the “why” question about Frank P. Buck Athletic Field. While that field is no more, hopefully reading about Mr. Buck will in a small way enable his memory and spirit to remain, continuing to hover over the new football field and the community he loved so much.
Frank P. Buck obituary, published June 22, 1944, Clinton County Republican News
“Frank P. Buck, 74, died June 16 at his home on South Oakland Street in St. Johns following a brief illness which came at the end of several years of failing health. His passing marks the end of a long and remarkable career of serving the St. Johns Public Schools from which he graduated in 1893.
“It was during his term of 32 years as a teacher, principal and superintendent that many of the improvements and progress in the local schools were made, particularly the building of Rodney B. Wilson High School in 1924-25. A progressive educator, he possessed an unusual loyalty to this community where he lived as a boy and later came to service for such a long period.
“Born in Bengal Township June 8, 1870, son of Pembroke and Mary E. Buck, he came to St. Johns High School as a student in 1889 and graduated with the class of 1893. Ambitious to gain an education, he attended Grinnel College, Iowa, and Olivet College before going to the University of Michigan from which school he graduated in 1899.
“In the autumn of 1888, Mr. Buck was engaged as a teacher at St. Johns High School and continued here as teacher and principal until 1904, at which time he was appointed principal at Pontiac High School. After two years there, he was made superintendent and remained there until 1910 when he accepted the superintendent position at St. Johns Public Schools.
“During his long tenure as head of the local schools hundreds of Clinton County boys and girls graduated. Mr. Buck seldom forgot a face and it was a matter of pride when one of his pupils gained prominence or fame. No man ever gave greater devotion to this community and its schools than did Mr. Buck.
“In 1931 due to his advancing age, Mr. Buck was relieved of his administrative duties but continued in the system as a teacher until his health failed in 1939. Since that time he has lived a quiet life, being frequently seen on the street and at school gatherings in which he never lost interest.
“He was married June 27, 1900, to Cora Collins of St. Johns. To this union, one daughter was born, Mrs. Frank Rice of Sturgis. A brother, Dr. Robert Buck, retired army surgeon, died Jan. 26, 1940. The widow and daughter survive.
“Mr. Buck was a member of the Congregational Church, and he was an honorary member of Rotary.
“Funeral services were held June 19 from the Ebert Funeral Home in St. Johns, the Rev. Ray T. Cadwell officiating. Burial was at Mt. Rest Cemetery.”
Opening of RBW, Frank Buck info, published April 25, 1925, Clinton County Republican News
“Perhaps the man most interested in the erection of the new St. Johns High School was Supt. Frank P. Buck who spent a great deal of time and effort in helping to plan and arrange the work. Like every member of the district he is proud of the result and believes that the school will be worth to the community all that it cost.”
Football field dedication, published October 14, 1937, Clinton County Republican News
School and town joined Friday, October 8, in paying tribute to Frank P. Buck. Dedicated in his honor, the new football gridiron at the city park now bears his name and will stand as a lasting memorial to the man who has devoted more than 30 years of his life to the education of the youth of this city and community.
“Schools were closed during the afternoon and hundreds of townspeople joined with the entire student body in attending the dedication ceremony. The program opened at 2 p.m. with a giant parade that moved from the high school building through the business district and then to the park. With a State Police escort leading the way, the marchers included a detachment of Boy Scouts bearing the colors, high school and junior high students, autos carrying the honored guest of the day, school and city officials, football players of years gone by, the St. Johns and Ovid high school bands, and a float bearing Miss Phyllis Osgood, Athletic Queen and her Court.
“A crowd of 1,000 or more packed the gridiron stands at the park where James Kelly, high school senior, opened the program and bestowed the crown of her kingdom upon Miss Osgood. He then called to the microphone Supt. C.W. Bemer who acted as master of ceremonies.
“With the two bands and the St. Johns and Ovid teams massed on the field, “The Star Spangled Banner” was played as the Boy Scouts raised Old Glory to the top of the flagstaff on the north end of the gridiron.
“Supt. Bemer presented city and park board officials and members of the board of education. He also called to the field “three old men” who had played football during the earlier days of St. Johns High School. Next came Bob Ebert, the student who proposed the idea that the field be named for Mr. Buck. When all had assembled near the microphone the guest of honor was introduced as the crowd cheered. Little Miss Helen Gay, acting as flower girl, presented Mr. Buck with a beautiful basket of chrysanthemums.
“In behalf of the school and city, G.G. Hunter, city attorney, dedicated the new gridiron in Mr. Buck’s honor and gave it the official name of the Frank P. Buck Athletic Field. Mr. Hunter spoke of the growing need of bodily training through the medium of athletics, and reviewed the efforts put forth by Mr. Buck in obtaining for St. Johns High School the opportunity for a well-rounded program of sports and games.
“Replying briefly, the guest of honor expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the students and citizens for their great kindness to him.
“Following the dedication the first high school game ever played on the new gridiron was staged by the St. Johns and Ovid teams, with St. Johns winning 25-6.”