By Judy Seifert (Contact / Staff Bio)
March 25, 2009 - 09:55 a.m. EST

VASSAR — Leland Service had a passion for words. Whether spoken or written, the man known as “Buck” by his family, friends - just about everyone in the City of Vassar - died Monday from the effects of a stroke he suffered in June 2008.

"I liked Buck. I knew him all my life and the one thing I know for certain about that fellow is that he loved this city," said Dan Surgent, former president of the Vassar Historical Society. "He was quick to share his views, and most of the time I didn’t agree with them, but he had a heart of gold."

Service, 73, was born in Vassar Aug. 8, 1935 to George and Laura Service. A 1953 graduate of Vassar High School, Service entered the United States Army in 1954, was stationed in France, and served his time as a courier for SHAPE Headquarters. He was also a cryptographer at the Pentagon and acted as an interpreter for Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery.

After leaving the military, Service worked many jobs including one at a television station, a pharmaceutical company and for the State of Michigan.

"His worked varied from being a repo man to selling hot dogs at Madison Square Gardens," his family said.

In 1988, Service married Norma Streeter. He retired in the 1990s and the two spent their time together as the owners and operators of Salmagundi, a toy store in Frankenmuth.

An avid reader, stamp collector and arrowhead hunter, Buck and Norma enjoyed attending Native American Pow Wows and collecting Indian memorabilia. He also enjoyed going online to buy and sell items on Ebay.

One of his greatest loves was the city where he was born, "It was Buck who pretty much single handedly rejuvenated the Vassar Historical Society," Surgent. "He started the Cork Pine Preservation Society. We met in the Vassar Hotel, a building that had pretty much been reduced to rubble back then, and eventually got it restored. The Cork Pine group became the current historical society."

Service was also involved in the Boy Scouts as a leader during which he was responsible for starting Explorer Troop. He was also a President of the Vassar Fair Board .

Family members said he was a staunch Democrat who was very proud of his Irish ancestry. He supported Indian children and the NAACP.

He also loved to write. Editors of area newspapers know that well.

"I got along with Buck," said Steve Cook. "Even though we didn’t agree on many things, he certainly had his opinion. Yet I always enjoyed reading everything he wrote in the paper. His writing was articulate and I found it absolutely excellent."

It was his Letters to the Editors that captured the attention of readers. Republicans and Democrats took an equal beating when Service thought their actions wrong. Local officials felt his wrath when he saw the community was at risk, so did governors and state elected officials. No one seemed to be safe, his friends remarked.

In 2009, Service published his first book You Can’t Get There From Here. A second was completed shortly before his death and will also be published.

In one of his last stories, Service closed with ......"Well, that was just another episode in the ongoing saga of life in old Vassar. It was more than just buildings. It was people that made Vassar different. I know. I’m, one of them."

Surviving family include his wife and his children, Leland Walker (Jennifer) Service II, Jamie Lynn (Pat) Porter, Christine Trea, Kimberly Gordines, Gail (Gary) Damm and Jackie (Heath) Atkerson, and a sister Connie Trimble. Another sister, Suzanne Rogner preceded Service in death. He also leaves behind a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 27, at the Penzien-Steele Funeral Home, 149 N. Main St. In Vassar.

The Rev. John W. Becker will officiate. Burial follows at Riverside Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Thursday from 2-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Those desiring may make contributions to the Vassar Food Pantry.