Rick Buesch, A Memorial to Our Friend and Classmate.

Remembering...
Rick Buesch
Born: Evanston, Illinois, November 29, 1944
Died: Aspen, Colorado, January 10, 2001

Our friend and classmate, Rick Buesch, is memorialized in a small park on Main Street in Aspen, Colorado. Rick's presence had a positive impact on those he met.

Rick's presence had a positive impact on those he met.

I recently visited the memorial to him and the other Vietnam Veterans. He reached out to help others but did not extend his own hand for help. That's Rick's Echoes photo in the New Trier H. S. Yearbook, Class of '63.

Rick's Echoes photo in the New Trier H. S. Yearbook, Class of '63.

the way he chose.

I have put this site up for anyone interested in posting images or other thoughts or memorials to Rick. If you send text or images to me, I'd be happy to add them to this page. Email: tjdunn@newnorth.net Some of the images below were taken at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial next to the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office. If you ever get to Aspen, be sure to stop by this memorial park.

In April of 2001 we had a small memorial service at NTHS for Rick that was attended by those who were able to come. Thanks go to Sue Giallombardo Walker, Jeff Zimber and the Clark Riley family for helping to organize and host this mini-reunion. See below for images of Rick and of the memorial gathering. And be sure to read Clark Riley's moving words about his friend and teammate. Rick's brother Tom shares some memories with us so be sure to read Tom's "letter to Rick".

"He gave to his country, serving as a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps in Viet Nam in the mid 60s. He fought valiantly, was recruited into covert action and did his duty with honor. He witnessed atrocities, lost many friends and loved ones, and felt the worst horrors imaginable. He was a much-decorated hero during a time of confusion and madness. He gave to his fellow soldiers then and later, marching in support of fellow veterans for their recognition, all across this country, joining in their spirit, torn up by the love for their comradeship and the tragic sorrow-filled duty that they and they alone could share."
(Words from Clark Riley's remembrance of Rick at the memorial at NTHS in April, 2001. The full text is here.)

The Reunion to celebrate Rick's life was held in April, 2001, on the 50 yard line of the old football field.
Clark Riley spoke eloquently of his feelings for and memories of Rick.

View Family Album	Clark Riley's moving remembrance of Rick at NTHS football field.	Tom's loving memorial of his brother Rick	Read the notice about Rick in the Aspen Times	To see the Pitkin County's Proclamation honoring Rick go here.

Remembering all of our classmates.		Coach G., Clark Riley and Rick's brother Tom.	We all had a few things to say about our memories of Rick.

An e-mail from Tom Buesch to T. J. Dunn, dated May 27, 2003

I just wanted to say Hi and let you know that we dedicated Rick's
headstone up in Aspen Grove Cemetery on Memorial Day. About 25 people
showed up and we had a military ceremony lead by Rick's friend Lt. Col.
Dick Merritt. There was live music (violin and guitar), we sang the
Marine Hymn and Rick's favorite, Amazing Grace, and everyone got to
speak. The emotional climax for me was Rick's best friend Stan, with
whom he lived, walking up to the headstone and talking directly to Rick,
saying he finally forgave him for how much he hurt Stan. Stan has had a
very hard time with Rick's death and I think has finally come to terms
with it. That event made me break down and just exhausted me
emotionally. My children were there too, and a couple of lady friends who
helped a lot. I spoke on "Always Faithful," the Marine Corps motto, and
talked about Rick's faithfulness as a brother, soldier, football
captain, friend, boyfriend, detention officer in the sheriff's
department, and his faithfulness to the vets here in the valley and to
our wonderful little town. The headstone is really beautiful and I will
send a picture of it along to you to include in the website.

We also had our community Memorial Day celebration at noon and Rick was
mentioned several times. Flowers are always put on his bench and men I
don't know are still coming up to me and introducing themselves and
telling me how much Rick helped them and what a great friend he was.

The Vietnam veteran and member of the Marine Corps' 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion not only was recalled as a man who loved his country, but also as one who made helping others his chief priority.

"I can't tell you how many times people came to me and said Rick helped them," said his brother Tom Buesch. "He was a friend to all the veterans in this valley and a focal point for those when they had a hard time speaking for themselves."

The Vietnam Conflict had a major effect on the life of Buesch, who linked arms with the late Claire Sandersen to have a veterans' memorial placed at the Pitkin County Courthouse in 1987.

"He said that was his greatest accomplishment," said Tom Buesch. "To have a war memorial as a site for Vietnam veterans to continue healing."


The entrance to Aspen Grove Cemetery	A brief history of this quiet place of remembrance	Rick is buried near his father's grave stone... just in the foreground of this image	A winter view of the veteran's memorial park on Main Street, Aspen