Two of our sons had Chip as a band director as well as they both played in the steel drum band Chip started. Very fond memories of Chip and all the trips and pig roasts he hosted. Chip always had a good time. He left lasting memories and will be greatly missed.
Diana Jimmie
Chip was one of those guys that when you think of one fond memory, you then think, oh, and then there was the time that… So to pick a favorite would be difficult. Chip made my experience as a percussion major at WVU even better as he was always helpful to undergrads and as a plus, loved to snow ski. In later years as many of us took different paths, Chip asked me to stop by his son’s birthday party because I was a State Trooper, and his son loved law enforcement. So I showed up with coloring books and other little items that kids like and showed them my cruiser with all the lights and sirens. What struck me about that whole visit was how Chip smiled the whole time, seeing just how much fun his son was having and that this man I knew as a college student had turned into such an awesome dad. It seemed like such a little thing at the time, but I think it is all those little things that define greatness. And Chip was a great dad…and to be able to witness that first hand, I feel honored now. I wish that I had done better at staying in touch, but the memories I have will always make me smile. Rest in Peace my friend, I’ll see you someday at the finale.
Michael Lynch
There are too many memories to share, but the one memory that sticks out to me was the first pig roast that the Panhandlers had after forming. I remember sitting there in the crowd as a 6th grader and listening to the music. I wanted to be part of that group, there was nothing like it in any other music program in the state.
Once I was qualified to try out for the Panhandlers, I did. I was lucky enough to land a spot in the group playing the double seconds. The events that followed would leave memories for a life time. From playing at schools around the state to playing in the world music concert at WVU’s Creative Arts Center. Chip loved his music and is responsible for one of the most unique middle school programs in the state.
Dan Jimmie
Chip and I coached hockey together for our sons’ teams. I especially remember the year our team was the Trashers. Our player of the game award was a small trash can. Chip always brought such a lighthearted attitude that you couldn’t help but to have fun. Chip also coordinated yearly bus trips to Wheeling for the kids to see the Nailers play hockey. Heaven is a happier place now that Chip is there.
Jim Mullen
He always had a wonderful smile on his face. Good guy all around. His family is the finest.
Stephanie Randalls
Mr. Buck always did his very best to bring the very best out of every student he came across. He was never afraid to jump in and play an instrument with you until you finally got the hang of it. I played the drums at Westwood and he made every day feel like a concert. He was one of my favorite teachers and he changed my life!
Garrett Cain
I first met Chip when I was in the 6th grade. He got me to play the trumpet and thought I had some natural talent with it and convinced me to take private lessons with Bonnie Miltenberger. His belief in me and my abilities was something I hadn’t experienced before and something I’ll never forget.
At Westwood middle school, his influence grew even more and went far beyond music into life lessons and work ethic.
He not only made music into a huge part of my life, he also started the ski club at Westwood and got me into skiing.
I was a part of the first band at Westwood Middle School and before the first concert, there were a few of us who wanted to see how long of a scuff mark we could leave on the floor (I don’t remember for sure, but I probably helped with that). Since these were brand new floors Mr. Buck was not pleased with this and made us all stay after the concert to clean up every scuff mark throughout the entire school. That continued after every concert and to this day, even walking through the mall, I have to clean up a scuff mark when I see it.
There’s just really no words to describe how much of an impact this man has had on our community.
But the one story I’ll never forget is in 8th grade I had asked for a remote control car for Christmas and thought I got it. But what was in that box was actually a beautiful silver trumpet that Mr. Buck had helped my mother get for me. Thinking I was being sneaky, I cut the tape on the package and unwrapped it. After seeing that it wasn’t the car I’d asked for, I wrapped it back up. But like most guys, I can’t wrap presents very well and she noticed how loose the paper was and knew I had opened it. She told this to Mr. Buck, so he gave her an old beat up bronze trumpet to put in the case. So then on Christmas morning, I was opening that present last and my mother said…”you’ll never guess what this one is.” To which I responded…”I already know!” The look on my face when I opened that case to the beat up bronze trumpet was priceless! And I’ll never forget Mr. Buck asking me if I was surprised after getting back from Christmas break.
Chip is definitely gone too soon and will be missed, but he can’t be forgotten…he’s a part of every person he’s ever taught!
Joey Spencer
Mr. Buck’s joy and obvious love for both his students and his craft stayed with me as I pursued my own passions. He was a great instructor and friend to me and my family. Middle school can be tough but he helped a lot of us make great memories.
Rachel Brosky
Spent many years teaching with Chip at Westwood. He was a class act in all ways! Found memories of a great teacher and person.
Karen Giuliani
My children went to Westwood and my son played in the band. Later I was able to join the staff at Westwood. Back then, we were a family. We did LOTS of fun things throughout the year. However, his Christmas concerts that he did in conjunction with Mrs. Kinsey were ALWAYS phenomenal. I would always say, “How do they get such great music out of such young kids?” But, that’s what they did. After I retired and was still subbing, Chip always greeted me with, “Hey JB, how are you today?” He will be missed by so many.
Janet Brock
My most vivid memory of Chip is watching him walk down High Street with the band, encouraging the members and giving signals. He truly loved what he did, and his students were lucky to have him. Such a good person, taken far too soon.
Charlene Brown
When I was an 8th grader in the Westwood jazz band, I was extremely shy and unsure of myself. Once, when I was getting ready to play a solo in front of the class, Mr. Buck (who teasingly called me Goo because of my initials) could tell I was nervous, and said to me, “Goo, you should never let other people make you feel embarrassed for being talented.” That was around six years ago, and I still think about it regularly when I catch myself wondering what other people think of me. It was such a kind, thoughtful thing to say that meant so much to 13-year-old me, and I think it was very indicative of Mr. Buck’s character and compassion.
Gretchan Utzman
Both of our children were band students of Chip. Our daughter, Alicia , was part of the first steel drum group at Westwood. Our son, Tyler , was in the Panhandlers as well. I was band president for 6 years. Between traveling with the band and the Panhandlers and putting on Pig Roasts , we all spent a lot of time with Chip. His love of music and seeing the talent in his kids was beyond compare. He was a genuinely good guy and an outstanding teacher.
Leilani Davis
As a coworker of Chip’s we spent a lot of time in meetings and school activities, but by far my favorite memory is when my own son became his band student in 5th grade. Chip called me one day to come to the band room. I walked in and he handed me a brand new trumpet and music stand for my son to use for the year. He had been sponsored by the “Save the Music” program to receive brand new instruments for our school. He handed me the trumpet and his exact words were, “ it’s been a week and your son is an amazing trumpet player…make sure he practices and call me if he needs help”. Chip was sad when my son went to another middle school in the county but he followed up with him his entire 6th grade year and made sure his trumpet was always in great shape! Years later, you continue to see Chips impact on this community as not just a person but an amazing teacher to so many!! My former students will forever be shaped by what they learned from Chip as well as anyone who knew him! He always made us smile! Even when things weren’t great, he found a way to smile, and I hope all of his former colleagues and former students remember him they way I do! We will miss you! Keep playing those drums in the sky Chip! ❤️
Lindsay Smalls
I have a lot of fond memories but one that stood out was my daughters 8th grade Kennywood trip. Me, my husband and oldest daughter (who had him as well for band) helped chaperone. He was sitting all alone on a bench and we asked him to join us and ride some rides with us. He seemed so happy that we wanted to include him. I have a video of all of them in the swing shot and the smile on his face was priceless. He was a great man and teacher to my girls and all that knew him. God rest his soul!
Donna Miller
Chip instilled a love of music in both of our children. That love of band continued from elementary band, through middle school. Both continued band in high school. Thank you Chip for making a lasting difference.
Cheryl & Wesley Phillips
Mr.Buck always had such a joy about him when Westwood had special concerts/events at school.The students fed off it.I am sure he had a huge impact on so many.
Shannon Shrewsberry
My first memory of Mr. Buck was in the 3rd Grade at Waitman Barbe Elementary when The Westwood Panhandlers played for all the the feeder schools on their tour. I thought “That’s so cool, I want to do that”. Little did I know just a few years later I would be playing in The Panhandlers on that same gym floor inspiring the next group of Steel Drum Players. Also, little did I know I would spend the next decade playing Baritone Sax in the Westwood, UHS, and WVU marching bands, along with various other Concert and Jazz Bands along the way. The places I traveled and friends and memories I made all started because of Mr. Buck. I will forever remember his teaching style, patience, life lessons, and knowledge and passion for music he shared with his students.
Tom “Big T” Clark
Unlike the majority of kids I absolutely loved middle school and Mr. Buck was one of the main reasons. Mr. Buck sparked a new love for music in my middle school years. He was a phenomenal music instructor and musician himself but he made the experience of learning to read and play music so much fun. He helped me learn to play the alto saxophone for jazz band and always encouraged me to continue playing the flute as he always saw potential in me. My heart aches for his wonderful family during this time.
“Tell the DJ to play your favorite tune
Then you know it’s okay
What you found is happiness, now.”
Earth, Wind and Fire – Let’s Groove (as performed by the Westwood Middle School band during the Mon Co Fair parade in ~2004)
Alison Kimble
Mr. Buck was my band director from 2014-2018. He did a lot of memorable things during his time as my band director but the two that stand out are when he put me in jazz band my 8th grade year. I saw that I was in two bands on my schedule, so I talked to him about it, and the response I got from him is still burned into my mind. “Welcome to jazz band, you now get to play Tenor Saxophone”. He sat and taught me so much during jazz band. But I can’t forget the hours of The Andy Griffin Show that we watched during the days he wanted to just sit and hang out with us. Mr. Buck will forever remain a mentor in my eyes, he will be missed.
Madison Brewer
His determination in forcing us to perform at our best was balanced with a constant smile and quick wit! Who can forget the “ spin and puke” warning before the Kennywood trip every year?
Kristen Boring Park
His passion for his students and music. He helped me practice for the drum line and I was picked to play the triple drum for that year because of his help. He also taught us all to dance during marching band and made band camp a blast!
Christan Lacko (Holbert)
Mr. Buck was one of the kindest and most influential teachers that I had. I was a student of his several years ago, and both of my children were blessed to have him as their teacher as well. When I was a student, the band went ice skating. I spent most of my time falling down, and there was photographic evidence of me on the ground. When my kids became his students and it was time to meet the teachers, we were greeted with a smile and they got to see the picture of their mother on the ice. I had to hold back the tears because I never would have thought a teacher would remember something as small as that, but Mr. Buck did. He was truly one of a kind, and cared very deeply for all of his students. I will remember his kindness and compassion for the rest of my life. Thank you Mr Buck
Chera Clawges
Chip Buck was a consummate professional, mentor , colleague, but more importantly my friend. I first met Chip when I was a high school student at Fairmont Senior High, where Chip served as our percussion instructor. He always had a smile on his face. Little did I know at that time that we would both work as band directors one day in Mon County. His impact on me as a professional can only be surpassed by his love for his students and band directing. Our community suffered a huge loss today.
Neil King
Mon County Schools Instrumental Music Facilitator. And Director of Bands Suncrest Middle School
I first met Mr. Buck in the 6th grade where he taught me how to play the drums. I was in the his first steel drum band ( The Panhandlers) that he directed at Westwood Middle in 1994. Mr. Buck made all of us kids feel like rock stars in that band. We went on tour to other schools, had a professional recording CD produced, and even made it to Good Morning America. He went so far above and beyond the average teacher. At the time I didn’t understand how much that would mean to me. Almost 30 years later I still play the drums, love music, and use the skills he taught me to succeed.
Mr. Buck will be missed by me, and his memories will live forever.
Jason Wilson DDS
Mr. Buck always looked out for me growing up, even though I was never directly his student. He helped build a close-knit community of percussionists around Morgantown. He gifted me a marimba when I was in middle school, just to make sure I had something to practice with. I still kept in contact with him after high school. He was an amazing person and educator and I will not forget his kindness.
Greer Lambert
He was a great teacher he would make anyone feeling down smile he was a very kind and amazing man may he rest peacefully.
Emma Mayle
When I switched over and went to Westover Jr High as a 7th grader was when I first met him as our band director…we had our famous “break downs” during parades and he had to teach us to “Get loose”, his words, then he would start dancing. I thought he was crazy as a 13 year old kid; but I really had no idea that those moments would live on as some of my best memories. Thank you Mr Buck for being one of the greats, and making a true impact on us young kids; I think we are better people for it!!
Carolyn Moore
I was one of Chip’s early private percussion students when his studio was in his townhouse in Westover. Chip boomed with enthusiasm and encouragement. He was always excited to teach and inspire. I saw him at Fawleys a couple weeks ago and it was like we had a lesson yesterday. He remembered more than I did about those days. Tragic loss.
Steven Yokum
I was struggling with learning bass clef. Mr. Buck let me come into his office on his precious lunch breaks and would tutor me. I’ll never forget how generous he was with us kids.
His favorite joke to tell was “What do you do when you have a booger? You let Wilson Pickett!”
I can’t listen to ‘I Second That Emotion’ by Smokey Robinson without remembering Mr. Buck singing and dancing his way up the Westwood hill while we played behind him.
Kate Eakins
I was one of his many band students and remember him as a teacher who helped his students work through learning their own instrument as well as new ones. One of my favorite memories was when we needed a well deserved break, he would play the Andy Griffith Show for us! Some students didn’t necessarily enjoy that, but I absolutely loved it.
Claire Price
Chip Buck was my colleague, my mentor, my sounding board, and occasionally my inappropriate joke-texting partner. Most of all though, Chip was my friend.
He was kind, intelligent, musical, and a master teacher. In the 22 years we worked together as MCS band directors, he never failed to send us kids who were well-prepared and excited to be making music. He was the first to congratulate when things went well, and always available with an encouraging word when they did not. His love of music and teaching was both evident and highly contagious. He is gone far too soon, but his legacy will be felt for generations.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank You, Mr. Buck.
Mark Palmer
University HS Director of Bands
Mr. Buck was one of those teachers that truly made a difference in so many lives, he would leave the 99 to get the 1, when I was at WMS I was the 1 that left the band because I didn’t like the instrument I played, when I didn’t show up for summer band camp he pursued me and allowed me to play the instrument I wanted and worked with me to to be able to do so. He was truly one of a kind and left a lasting impression on many of our lives that passed through that band room.
James Trivett
My favorite memory was him calling us foo foo girls. We all acted like we hated it but deep down we’ll cherish it forever.
Lacy McClurg
Chip had such a tremendous impact on our two sons! Nathaniel and Rob loved him as a teacher and mentor! He knew how to build character and how to bring out the best in both of them. Deb and I will be forever grateful for Chip in our sons lives. ( Rob was in the very first steel drum band ) Our prayers will continue today and in the tomorrows for the entire family.
Tom Ferguson
Where do I begin, there are so many fun memories! I was in Panhandlers, Jazz Band, Marching Band and was a majorette or as he called them, “foo foo girls.” Mr. Buck made you feel so cool about being a band kid during those awkward middle school years.
From summer band camp, parades, to our Panhandler gigs, he always knew how to encourage you to be a better musician and person.
Kristin Secrist
I was lucky enough to have be taught by Mr. buck. He greatly influenced my love of music. Because of his teaching I learned the fundamentals and though I stopped playing many years ago, I still have a greater appreciation when listening to music. The last time I really got to talk to him, I can say I was happy to be able to show that the shy girl from age 9 has grown to a more confident woman. He taught me not only how to hold a beat, but how to let loose. Nothing like a bunch of middle schoolers dancing down high street for the parades. Sending so many prayers to his family. He changed so many peoples lives.
LaChrisa Winston
I taught with Chip at Riverside School. Chip was always positive and upbeat. Always a smile. I had not seen him in many years but ran into him at Fawley’s in the last year and so glad I did. I am shocked by his passing. He always went beyond what was expected of a band director and influenced so many children.
My condolences to his family.
Meredith Kiger
