Harold Raymond Buckner of Southampton Dies January 26

Harold “Hal” Raymond Buckner of Southampton died peacefully at his home with his son on January 26. He was 85.

He was born on February 19, 1938, in Coupeville, Washington.

Buckner, who had a master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Washington, was a college professor and sculptor living in Southampton. Originally from the Northwest, he fell in love with the Hamptons, the community’s deep appreciation of the arts and the people involved in it.

He was the youngest of two sons of Virgil and Jessie Buckner from Coupeville, Washington, on Whidbey Island. He attended Seattle University and the University of Washington and was an avid baseball player, fan and coach. He was a catcher and played in a semi-pro league in Seattle and liked to say that this short-lived career ruined his legs for the rest of his life.

Buckner was competitive in sports and in life, and if he got upset with you, it probably meant that you were one of his closest friends. He was passionate about a lot of things … his relationships, his coffee, his Yankees and especially his art. His family said they envision him now in heaven having a great cup of coffee with a friend in his art studio with a Yankees game playing in the background.

He is survived by two sons Kyle (Lida) of Issaquah, Washington and Troy of Southampton; his daughter, Leslie; three grandsons, Justin, Ty and Thomas. He is also survived by his loving life partner, Dorothy Lichtenstein.