Dick Van Buren lost his courageous battle with Parkinson’s/Lewy Body Dementia on December 27th in Vero Beach, Florida. Dick was born in Mineola, New York on October 24th, 1945 and grew up in Schaghticoke, New York. He was the son of Frank and Dorothy (Peak) Van Buren. He graduated from Cortland State College and taught physical Education at Shenendehowa Central School in Clifton Park, NY for 34 years where he was also the JV basketball coach and inducted into the Shenendehowa Sports Hall of Fame.

Dick and his wife Beverly (Wall) Van Buren lived in Burnt Hills, New York and raised their blended family there. Their children are Lisa Van Buren Harvey (Todd) who live in Saratoga NY, Tiffany Heflin Charette (Craig) live in Atlanta, Georgia, Joshua Van Buren lives in Rochester, NY, Samantha Van Buren lives in Mt Prospect, IL, and Troy Heflin (Amy) live in Breckinridge, Colorado. The ten grandchildren were a wondrous joy to Dick. Dick also is survived by his two brothers Steve Van Buren (Diane) and Dale Van Buren and one nephew Dana Van Buren.

Dick was a great athlete, enjoying both tennis and golf. He was an avid fly fisherman who traveled out west to fish. He loved coaching basketball and watching the grandkids play all their sports. Dick and Beverly moved to Tripp Lake in the Adirondacks in 2003. They spent winters in Vero Beach, Florida for the last 19 years. Theirs was a true love story, ended much too soon.

Donations may be made to the Battenkill Conservatory at battenkillconservancy.org or to the Parkinson’s Foundation at https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/SPageNavigator/2017_donate_form_2.html.