BULLER RICHARD “DICK” age 93 passed away on January 2, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born in Acme, Michigan on June 28th, 1920. A veteran of WWII, he served the US Army as a radio operator and was sent to Japan after the bombing of Hiroshima to help with the nation’s rebuilding. After returning from the war in 1946, he completed his education at the University of Michigan and was hired as a disc jockey at a new radio station, WKMH, in Dearborn, Michigan in February 1947 and had a signature night time show aptly named “Sugar and Spice”. In 1963, the radio station underwent an amazing change and became WKNR – Keener 13 – a perennial rock favorite in the Detroit area and Dick was a part of their newsroom. He remained at the radio station through one more change to WNIC in 1972 and retired in June 1985. Music played an important role in Dick’s life – he met his wife of 62 years, Florence, while playing in Bill Sawyer’s dance band at the Houghton Lake Playhouse. Music always filled the house – usually Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman or Duke Ellington. Retirement found Dick and Florence traveling the country to be with their three children and six grandchildren. He is survived by his son, Richard Buller (Theresa) of St. Louis, MO; his daughter Deborah VanIttersum (Cliff) of Chesterfield, MO; and his daughter Katherine Kaherl (Dave) of Burlington, CT; grandchildren Derek VanIttersum (Wendy) of Hudson, OH, Julia Shafer (Robert) of Hastings, MI, Kyle VanIttersum (Christina) Luster of Manhattan, KS, Sarah Bennick (Aaron) of Philadelphia, PA, Ryland Buller of Juneau, AK and David Kaherl of Boston, MA. In addition, Dick is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Lucy and Abigail Shafer, and Matteo and Theo VanIttersum; and two brothers, Ronald Buller and Roger Buller both of Traverse City, MI. He is pre-deceased by his beloved wife, Florence, and his brother, Raymond Buller. Donations can be made to the The Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund , 12101 Woodcrest Executive Drive, Suite 102, St. Louis, MO 63141. Burial will be private.
