Donald Ray Buske

Donald R. Buske, 93 of Naples, Florida, passed away on July 3, 2024 in hospice. Don was born on May 13, 1931, in the home of his parents, Herman and Ella (Meyer) Buske, in Litchfield, Illinois. Don is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Frances “Francie” Dunn, his children, Stan and Stephanie (Hall) Buske and children Haley Buske of Jersey City, New York and Justin Buske of Nashville Tennessee, Robert and Peg (Poggemeier) Buske of Wilmington, Massachusetts and children Jessica Buske of Queens, New York and Joshua and Scarlet (Oakley) Buske of Boston, Massachusetts, Marianne (Buske) Hardy and son Christian Hardy of Naples, Florida, Douglas Buske of Seattle, Washington and his sister, Joann Hersey of Tampa, Florida. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Howard and wife Betty, his brother Harold and wife Betty, infant sister Marilyn and brother-in-law Paul Hersey.

Don graduated from Litchfield High School and University of Illinois, with a BS Degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and served as Business Manager of the fraternity. He continued to be involved with his Phi Psi brothers throughout his life. Don was President of the Illini Club, a member of the Board of Alumni Association and the University of Illinois Foundation. He and his wife were major contributors to the development of the Alumni Center and the Buske Communication Center named in their honor.

While in college, Don earned a commission in the U.S. Army in the ROTC program and served in Japan at the end of the Korean War. He was honorably discharged with the rank of lieutenant and joined Ford Motor Company as a Buyer of Production Parts in the Lincoln/Mercury Division in Detroit. While working at Ford, he earned an MBA attending night school at the University of Detroit. He then joined Merrill Lynch where he enjoyed a successful career for the next 37 years until retiring to Naples, Florida in 1996.

Don started his financial career as a Financial Consultant in Merrill Lynch’s St. Louis office. Within a few years, he was recommended for the firm’s management program and transferred to Chicago to manage the office in the John Hancock Center. When the opportunity to manage the West Michigan operation became available, Don transferred to Grand Rapids and elected to stay there for the balance of his business career. He initiated a program to establish Merrill offices in several smaller towns opening satellites in Muskegon, Holland and Grand Haven, Michigan. The idea was replicated in several hundred small market offices within the company.

Don committed considerable time to supporting community activities. He was President of the Clayton Toastmasters in St. Louis. In Chicago, he managed a middle school baseball team and was active in the Boy Scouts of America program. While in Grand Rapids, he served on the Executive Board of the Chamber of Commerce, was Chairman of Kent County Hospital Finance Authority, Chairman of the Board and President of the Grand Rapids Symphony.

Don was active in sports throughout his life. He was captain and quarterback of his high school football team and received honorable mention on the All-State team his senior year. He played on the varsity basketball team and lettered in both football and basketball. Don played tennis for many years but eventually gave it up for his favorite sport of golf. He played on courses all over the USA as well as courses in Scotland and Ireland. He was a long time member of Kent Country Club in Grand Rapids and Club Pelican Bay in Naples.

Don was devoted to his family and cherished the time spent with them. He married his high school sweetheart “Francie” in his senior year of college and they raised four wonderful children. The family’s favorite gathering place for more than 60 years was Crystal Lake in Frankfort Michigan where everyone enjoyed watersports. Don was an inspiration to all water skiing into his mid-70s. Don and Fran celebrated their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries, there, surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

A lifetime member of the Lutheran Church, his remains will be interred in the Memorial Garden at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Naples following a private family service at Hodges Funeral Home, Naples, Florida.