Nelson Buck Robinson, 64, of Stratham Heights Road, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, at home, following a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). He was born January 16, 1939, in Evanston, IL, and later graduated from Williams College, University of Michigan Law School and Harvard Business School. During his high school and college years he was an All-American swimmer in the breast stroke and the butterfly. Four years ago, he won the New England championship for the butterfly stroke in the 60and-over class. Buck was noted for his keen wit and was quick to share a joke, funny story or quote with friends on all occasions. An avid environmental activist, his special interests were renewable energy, hydrogen power and organic agriculture. He founded the Essex Ecology Center in Rockport, MA, a non-profit organization funded solely through the operation of Toad Hall Bookstore, a small independent bookstore serving the local Cape Ann community. All profits roll into the foundation and are redistributed to the community for local environmental activities. In 1978, he founded the Cambridge Alternative Power Company in Cambridge, MA, a retail store specializing in the sale and installation of alternative energy products. In 1980, to expand the scope of the business into all of New England, he founded the Capco Energy Supply in Burlington, MA. This company is a wholesale distributor of energy-conscious residential heating equipment including boilers, furnaces, water heaters, solar systems and cooling systems. In 1981, Buck was the volunteer executive producer of a film about the work of Amory Lovins on the concept of a soft energy path featuring energy conservation and the appropriate use of renewable energy. The film won blue ribbons at four major film festivals, including the American Film Festival. In 1993, Buck and his wife, Caroline, founded Berry Hill Farm in Stratham, NH, a certified organic farm specializing in all types of berries. The farm is a New Hampshire Farm of Distinction. Until his death, he was active on the board of the Jordan Institute, a NH science-based, non-profit organization focused on the environment, public health and the economy. The Institute has established a memorial award in his name to honor individuals whose scientific research contributes in a significant way to the appropriate use of renewable energy. As an expression of his beliefs, Buck drove the hybrid Prius upon its release in 2000, carrying the license plate 48+ MPG. The car stimulated countless conversations and Buck’s enthusiasm sold many hybrid cars for Toyota. The family now drives the new 2004 Prius as well…and it carries the license plate 55+ MPG. Buck is survived by his wife, Caroline; their son, Winslow, and their daughter, Sophie, his daughter, Alix Mayer Druker of Palo Alto, California, and his son, Taylor Mayer of Billings, Montana; five grandchildren; his brother, Jack Robinson of Northfield, Illinois, and his sister, Caroline Repenning of Kenilworth, Illinois. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, at South Church (Unitarian), 292 State Street, Portsmouth, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made either to the ALS Association, Northern New England Chapter, The Champlain Mill, 1 Main Street, Suite 13, Winooski, VT 05404; or to the Jordan Institute for the “NBR Memorial Fund”, 18 Low Avenue, 2nd Floor, Concord, NH 03301. Arrangements are by the Brewitt Funeral Home, Exeter.
