Edward 'Dick' Buckley, DuPont Co. retiree

Edward Richard Buckley, 80, died Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Florida.

Dick was born in the St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington, Dec. 10, 1934. He attended St. Ann’s School and graduated from Wilmington High School and King’s College in Wilkes Barre, Pa. with a degree in economics.

He joined DuPont Photo Products in 1963 and worked in a variety of sales, marketing and research and development positions. In 1973 he was appointed national sales manager for Magnetic Products. Under his leadership, DuPont became one of the first three companies along with Sony and 3M to market color video cassettes for the industrial three-fourths format. In 1976 Betamax and in 1977 VHS systems were introduced to the U.S. consumer market and DuPont again was one of the first suppliers to major retailers.

In 1980 DuPont joined with Philips Electronics (Holland) in a joint venture, called P.D. Magnetics. Dick was appointed national sales manager. In 1984 he was promoted to vice president of North American Operations, marketing beta and VHS cassettes under the PDM label.

In 1986 Dick rejoined DuPont as worldwide marketing manager for a high speed tape duplicating technology called TMD and opened duplicating facilities in Spain, Italy and Holland. He was responsible for leading the path to many innovations in the video magnetic media industry. After a successful entry into the U.S. with several duplicators DuPont sold the technology to a Japanese company.

In 1988 Dick was assigned as senior accounts manager for Mylar Film sales to video tape manufacturers like 3M, Kodak and BASF.

Dick opted for early retirement from DuPont in 1991 and joined Philips as president of their new U.S. Venture marketing TMD duplicating tape. When Philips decided to exit the video-tape business in 1995, Philips Executives purchased the facility and formed a new company called MPO B.V. MPO retained Dick to direct the U.S. sales operation as president-managing director. Dick incorporated in Delaware as MPO, Inc. Dick discontinued the effort in 2003 because of the dollar weakness versus the Euro.

As a pioneer in the video-tape industry Dick was recognized worldwide for his contributions. He was a featured speaker at events in Europe, Japan, South Africa and the U.S. He was a charter member of the International Tape Association and served as executive liaison with Europe, chairman of the Video Advisory Committee and as director on the board of directors.

A lifelong Republican, he was a district committee chairman in both Wilmington and Arlington Heights, Ill. He was appointed as a commissioner to the Delaware State Athletic Commission by Gov. Pete DuPont. He was a member of the Rehoboth Beach Country Club and The Meadows Country Club in Sarasota, Fla., where he enjoyed playing golf with friends, but his highlight was trivia on Wednesday nights at the club. A voracious reader, Dick was a member of the Mensa Society. He was also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

In 1996 Dick and Judy purchased a home in Sarasota, and began their retirement as “snowbirds,” enjoying the best of both worlds. He didn't retire long before he decided to volunteer for the presidency of the board of directors at his condo association in Heronmere in The Meadows community. During his tenure as president he was successful in significantly reducing condo fees, while maintaining all reserves and still beautifying the community.

Dick is survived by his wife Judy; his daughters Elizabeth Fortner and husband Ron, and Cathy Gladnick and husband Dann; granddaughters Tierney Fortner, Rebecca Case and Hannah Gladnick; grandsons, William and Dann Gladnick; stepson John Gunn; stepdaughters Melissa Wallo and husband John, and Sherry Engebretsen; stepgrandson Anthony Spadaccini; and stepgranddaughters, Sara Engebretsen and Jessica Gunn.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 20, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will immediately follow services at Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Henlopen Avenue, Rehoboth Beach.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the Thoracic Oncology Research Fun #33421 at Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, 12902 Magnolia Drive, MBC-FOUND

Please visit Dick's Life Memorial webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.