Robert E. "Buddy" Verbeck

Robert E. "Buddy" Verbeck, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at Boston Medical Center.  Born in Walpole, Massachusetts on September 16, 1931, he was the son of the late Herman and Rita (Kramer) Verbeck.  He was raised in Walpole, where, as a young boy, Buddy found his love for the game of baseball.  Buddy took his skills on the pitcher's mound to Walpole High School, where he earned the record for the number of strikeouts in a game, before his graduation in 1949.  His pitching abilities were quickly noticed by the Boston Braves, who drafted him right out of high school.  Unfortunately, Buddy never saw a game, as he suffered a shoulder injury during a training camp.  After leaving the baseball diamond, Buddy took a position with American Machine and Foundry in Boston.

In 1953, Buddy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, proudly serving his country during the Korean War.  He was stationed with the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, serving stateside throughout his tour.  Buddy was honorably discharged in January of 1956, after earning the rank of Sergeant. 

Upon his discharge, Buddy returned to American Machine and Foundry in Boston, working as a draftsman, in addition to pursuing his associates degree at the Lincoln Institute.  While at AMF, Buddy met his soon to be wife, Sara G. "Sal" Lester.  They were married on March 15, 1958, in Sal's hometown of Gardner, and made their home in Walpole.  Buddy went on to take a detail draftsman position with Hazeltine in Braintree, where he worked until his retirement in 1993.  After Hazeltine was bought out by British Aerospace, Buddy took on some contract work, helping out through the mid-2000s.

Buddy loved to travel with his wife Sal, and friends.  As young parents, they looked forward to their annual summer vacations to Cape Cod and New Hampshire with their family.  In more recent years, the couple traveled throughout the United States and Canada, taking bus tours, and enjoying all the sights.  A special trip was planned every March, as Buddy and Sal packed their car and headed to the sunshine of Florida, spending a week or two in Saint Augustine.  While they genuinely enjoyed everything the US had to offer, Sal and Buddy did enjoy boarding a ship to cruise through the Caribbean.

Throughout his life, Buddy enjoyed staying active outdoors.  He was an avid golfer, hitting the links with colleagues and friends.  Buddy looked forward to spending a morning at his secret spot on Cape Cod digging for quahogs, or spending the day at his favorite fishing hole.  Back at home, he could be found in his yard, chopping wood, picking his blueberries, and tending to his vegetable garden. 

Beloved husband of the late Sara G. "Sal" Verbeck.

Loving father of Leslie K. Coates and her husband, Dewayne "Cotton," of Westmoreland, Virginia, Robert M. "Bobby" Verbeck and his wife, Pam, of Walpole, Kristen R. Barsomian and her husband, Richard, of Mansfield, and the late Susan "Suzy" Krueger and her surviving husband, Todd.

Cherished grandfather of Stephanie Johnson of Virginia, Kelly Goodwin of Georgia, Lindsey Johns and her husband, Chris, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, Debra Verbeck of Richmond, Virginia, Richard J. Barsomian of Mansfield, and Jeffrey R. Barsomian of Mansfield; and great grandfather of Alyssa Goodwin, Joseph Goodwin, Cameron Goodwin, Scarlett Johns, Warren Johns, and Ezra Johns.

Brother of the late Fred Verbeck.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Buddy's Life Celebration on Friday, August 19, 2022, from 3 to 5 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

His interment will take place privately in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Buddy's name may be made to the Disabled American Veterans at https://www.davma.org/