Spotlight on Volunteers – Roy Buck

Amazing Roy Buck Jogs 30 Miles a Week -  Picks Up Trash Along the Way

Cottonwood resident Roy Buck has spent thousands of hours beautifying roadways in the upper Verde Valley since he arrived on the scene in 1989. Early to bed and early to rise, at 80, he still jogs from three to five miles a day.

For years Buck has picked up discarded trash from the banks of Highway 89A between Cottonwood and Clarkdale. In the early years of Verde River Days, he assisted Pete Sesow and Dick Larson with organizing that event. He now volunteers with the Stewards of Public Lands. Co-chair Diane Joens says, “Roy is usually first to arrive at the cleanups and already has a bag of trash picked up when other volunteers report for work. He is so energetic, and just amazing!”

Buck grew up, worked and retired in Decatur, Ill. He and wife Janet raised two daughters there. Buck retired from Caterpillar, the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. In a career that spanned 32 years, Buck was responsible for many duties, including operating a forklift, overhead crane, and driving a semi-truck delivering parts on the 600 acre plant site. He also worked part-time for Purolator Courier for 15 years. Janet worked for the phone company. They were married 59 years and have two granddaughters and four great grandkids. Janet passed away in 2006.

Decatur is billed as the breadbasket and soybean capital of the world. Buck said that besides Caterpillar, Decatur is the home of Archer Daniels Midland, a company that works with farmers, food companies and others to feed the world. They also make many things that consumers don’t expect to come from nature – like fuel, paint additives, and coatings. Decatur is also home to the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, one of the largest corn refiners in the United States. They supply products derived from corn, including sweeteners, starches, ethanol and animal feeds.

The Bucks wanted to retire in a sunny, warm place. “In the Midwest, there are so many days that the sun doesn’t shine,” Buck says. They first traveled to Florida, but didn’t like the weather. Having visited the Verde Valley several times in the preceding 20 years, Cottonwood ended up being just the place for them. Like many other residents, he hopes Cottonwood can keep its small town atmosphere. “I think the powers that be have done as good as they can do as far as the growth problems--you can’t stop so-called progress, I guess,” he says. “I’ve always liked a small town.”

When asked what he wishes for Cottonwood in the next 10 years, Buck says he’d like to be sure police can be paid a good salary. He thinks the biggest worry is the local water situation. He’d also like to see the Verde River protected. “I hope they don’t mess it up, it’s one of the few things we’ve got in this area that shouldn’t be messed with,” Buck insists.  

He sees a lot of community members out for daily walks. He’d like to see people get into the habit of taking a plastic shopping bag along. “We’d have a fantastic and beautiful landscape if everyone would pick up a half dozen items every day. It would make a big difference,” he believes. 

An avid bicyclist for years, Buck broke his neck in a bicycle accident when he was 78. Doctors fixed him up with a metal plate in his neck, and a determined Buck worked hard to get back on his feet.  Now he again rises at 4 a.m. and jogs up to five miles a day. He's also back to riding his bike with the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition. He continues to keep the trash picked up along Highway 89A in Cottonwood and Clarkdale. He enjoys hiking whenever he has time.  

“Roy is a walking miracle, and an inspiration for others,” says Cottonwood City Manager Brian Mickelsen. 

Buck says, “As far as picking up the trash, I got tired of looking at it. People stop me when I’m on 89A to thank me. Well, I do it for other people’s benefit, but I enjoy seeing it look nice myself.”

Spotlight on Volunteers is written by Diane Joens on behalf of the Cottonwood City Council. Council members recognize the invaluable contributions volunteers make to the betterment of city government and the community. There are many opportunities to volunteer and make a positive difference. Council members encourage everyone to get involved. Volunteer today!