Dennis Lee "Buck" Edwards

Dennis Lee (“Buck”) Edwards died suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack shortly following his church choir practice in HHI on April 14, 2026. Taken far too soon, he is now singing proudly with God’s heavenly band.

Buck was born on May 2, 1942, the youngest of 5 children, to Kenneth and Hazel Edwards, in Ann Arbor Michigan and that began his lifelong love of the University of Michigan Wolverines. Go Blue! He graduated from Milan (MI) high school where he lettered in baseball, basketball, football and played trumpet in the marching band, which was especially challenging during football season. He married his first wife, Marilyn “Dolly” Kempf, and had his only child, Sheryl, who was the light of his life, halfway through his college days when he switched his major from PE to Business. He worked his way through school at Wicke’s lumber, while supporting his young family and graduated from Western Michigan University in 1966. Soon after, they moved to California where Buck began his 30 year long career with IBM. He held many IBM field and headquarters leadership positions and embodied the “I’ve Been Moved” mantra associated with IBM as his career included several promotions in the LA area, followed by new roles in Rochester NY, New York City, Detroit MI, and finally White Plains NY. Buck also inspired his daughter, Sheryl, to become a life-long IBMer and cheered her on through her career to ensure the successful growth of both his favorite employer as well as his pension fund.

While working for IBM in White Plains, he met the love of his life, Karen Benedict, and they were happily married for 41 years (despite her Ohio State Buckeye fan loyalty).

Buck and Karen lived for 12+ years together on Candlewood Lake in New Fairfield, CT, where they hosted many “Camp Edwards” events, but, after they both retired from IBM and were tired of cold New England weather, they moved to Hilton Head Island. During retirement, they enjoyed many exciting global bucket list adventures including trips to Australia, New Zealand, China, Tanzania, Greece, France, Japan, Norway, Brazil, some European river cruises, as well as many guided bike tours.

In addition to traveling, Buck used his energy and enthusiasm in many volunteer and leadership activities including membership chair at the Country Club of Hilton Head, as well as several youth initiatives, and support for various church and music groups. Buck combined his ability to motivate others along with his love for helping young people. Early in his IBM career, while in Los Angeles, he started the IBM Special Interest Group for Mexican American students from local high schools to give them an inside view of career opportunities in business and to motivate them to stay in school. The group had 40 volunteer teachers, 105 students and 150 on the waiting list. Reviving his youth focus, Buck became the coordinator for the IMPACT mentoring program in the Hilton Head local public school system. For 20 years, he recruited and trained mentors to spend one hour each week with a student, identified by a teacher, who could benefit from a caring adult presence. Many of the mentors stayed with their students through high school and beyond. Buck was recognized by the South Carolina School Board with the “Champion for Public Education” award for truly energizing the program. Buck was also an enthusiastic leader engaged in the First Presbyterian Church (FPC) Ethics Symposium which brought in college students to evaluate ethics issues. With his storytelling talents, Buck had a way of making ethics scenarios real for the students as well as others who also enjoyed his scenario tests. Incorporating ethics with sales was another talent of Buck’s and he loved volunteering at the Bargain Box where he was known for his successful sales in the furniture department. Living his faith, Buck was a dedicated leader of the Cypress Seekers men’s Bible study, and he also served as an FPC church elder.

Coming from a musical family, Buck not only played trumpet in high school and volunteered to play taps later in life, but he thoroughly loved and lived music! He taught himself to play guitar by ear and was known for his family sing-a-longs (complete with hand out song books with lyrics). He taught his daughter to play guitar and both of his granddaughters to play his bugle and love music… all three followed in his musical footsteps. In Hilton Head, Buck especially loved to sing and was a member of a Barbershop group for many years and sang in three different choirs. In addition to enjoying his own music collaborations, Buck loved to listen to Karen play her angelic harp. They also hosted competitors for the International Piano Competition for 10 years.

Buck will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and community and will always be remembered for his vivacious, fun-loving personality, kindness, compassion for others, musical talents, and his crazy socks and wild blazers.

He is survived by his wife Karen (HHI), and his daughter Sheryl Rajpolt, her husband, John, and his two cherished granddaughters Amy and Michelle (all of Monroe, CT) as well as many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers: Don and Doug Edwards, and two sisters: Eileen Tooman and Sue Tinsman.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 6 at 2pm at the First Presbyterian Church at 540 William Hilton Parkway and will be livestreamed at https://www.fpchhi.org/memorial-services

Feel free to wear crazy socks in honor of Buck.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Buck’s memory can be made toward the “Buck Edwards Saving Hearts Fund” which will fund AED grants and CPR training, (c/o Town of HHI Fire Rescue, 10 Park Lane, HHI SC 29928) or FPC Music program 540 William Hilton Parkway, HHI SC 29928.