Buck’s ‘legacy will help shape understanding of our planet’
Much has been written about Dr. Peter Buck since his passing last week, a great deal of it rightfully focused on the tremendous success he saw as cofounder of Subway and his generosity as a philanthropist. His skill and good fortune as a businessman will be long remembered, but his legacy also includes significant contributions to science which will carry on well into the future.
Dr. Buck was a longstanding member of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s Advisory Board. His relationship with our museum began with the gift of the extraordinary 23.1carat Carmen Lúcia Ruby in honor of his late wife. The stunning piece is on display in the National Gem Collection, adjacent to the Hope Diamond. More recently, Dr. Buck donated the famed Uncle Sam Diamond, the largest diamond ever discovered in the United States.
As he got to know us, Dr. Buck took the museum’s mission — understanding the natural world and our place in it — to heart and his generosity helped make possible two initiatives that enable us to meaningfully carry it out.
The museum’s Human Origins Program leads pioneering research that advances the understanding of the origin of humans and communicates our findings to scientific and public audiences worldwide through our flagship exhibition, our website, and ongoing programs at the museum and in communities nationwide. Sustaining these activities is an endowment made possible through Dr. Buck’s support.
Additionally, the Peter Buck Fellowship Program, now in its 10th year, has thus far helped support over 120 early career scientists. As the museum’s premier academic program, the fellows are trained as the next generation of natural history scientists and museum professionals, with the goal to increase the flow of new ideas, perspectives, and skills not only into the museum community but also the larger scientific community. The accomplishments of Buck Fellow Alumni are global and continue to unlock the mysteries of our planet.
Dr. Buck was a kind and thoughtful man. He will be missed in our community and we remain eternally grateful for his support and foresight. His legacy will help shape the understanding of our planet and its cultures into the future.