Buck Stith had an opportunity to attend any number of colleges, including the University of Georgia.
He wouldn’t have it, said Mary Ann Burress Stith, his wife of 50 years. “That was not his cup of tea,” she said.
The Atlanta native attended Georgia Tech on a basketball scholarship. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. In return, he gave back as a donor and leader.
“Buck is a very dedicated person,” said John B. Carter Jr., president of the Georgia Tech Foundation. “He built a network of loyal friends, and he has given back an awful lot to Georgia Tech. He identifies issues and makes things happen.”
Henry Hammond Stith Jr., 73, of Atlanta died Friday of cancer at his home. The memorial service is 2 p.m. today at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. H.M. Patterson & Son, Arlington chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
After graduating from Tech in 1959, Mr. Stith joined the family business, Stith Equipment Co., a distributor of heavy construction equipment and mining machinery. He retired as its president. The business was sold in 1989.
He served as a trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation (1994-2004); chair of the Georgia Tech Foundation (2001-2003); trustee of the Alumni Association (1983-1993) and the alumni association’s president (1992-1993).
He served on committees such as the national campaign steering committee. In 2004, Tech awarded him its highest honor — the J.M. Pettit Distinguished Service Award. “His energy and love was obvious,” said Don Chapman, a past chairman of the Georgia Tech Foundation.
Additional survivors include a daughter, Susan Miller of Alpharetta; two brothers, Alan Stith and Hugh Stith, both of Atlanta; and two grandchildren.
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