Beloved husband of Susan (nee Anderson) Butka. Loving father of Kristin Butka. Loving brother of William Butka and the late Joan Mackolin. Loving uncle of Lisa (Larry) Waczkowski. A celebration of life will be held on a date and time to be announced. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday November 2, 2024 at Christ The King Church, 30 Lamarck Dr, Amherst, NY 14226, at 9:30am.
Survived by his beloved wife Elizabeth (Liza) of 64 years. Devoted father of David (Sheila), Scott and Victoria. Proud grandfather of Bruce, Kelley and Riley.
Richard was originally from Troy, Pennsylvania and remained very fond of his hometown his whole life. Obtained rank of Eagle Scout and attended Philmont & National Scout Jamboree of 1953. Graduate of Troy High School. Attended and graduated from Mansfield State Teachers College and received his masters degree from University at Buffalo. He had also obtained many post graduate credits from Canisius College and Buffalo State College.
His love of teaching high school English began in Warren, Pennsylvania. He then taught at Amherst Central High School for 30 plus years. Upon his retirement from Amherst, he continued his devotion to teaching for an additional 6 years at Holy Angels Academy. He left behind a legacy of multiple generations of students well prepared for careers and life.
Upon his final retirement he mastered the skills of fly fishing, enjoyed a lifetime of hunting, was an avid reader and could frequently be found cycling around Amherst. He also was a very enthusiastic fan of UB’s sports teams.
In accordance with Richard’s wishes there will be no services. Family to hold a private gathering at a later date.
To honor his memory donations can be made to Hospice Foundation, PO Box 590 Buffalo, NY 14240.
Note – above picture from 1965 Tower year book with Florence Sturgeon and Beverly Nopper (Meer)
Special Tiger shout out to Dave D’Amico and Paul Manno from the Class of 1967. They put together and donated this shadow box in memory and tribute of their classmate Tom Taylor. It contains his Athletic Hall of Fame Award. Tom died of cancer about a year after graduating from ACHS. He is regarded as one of the greatest athletes in Amherst’s history. #onceatigeralwaysatiger
Survived by his wife Norma Trapper (Lang) and sons Patrick Arthur Trapper/Kelsey Fuertes and Daniel Raymond Trapper/Brandon Johnson: siblings Linda Lee Trapper Trankle, Thomas Arthur Trapper/Rae Ella House, Lori Anne Trapper Shaddock Belscher/Dave Belscher, John Patrick Trapper/Carlos Castro Trapper, and Christopher James Trapper/Hania Trapper (Khuri); nieces and nephews: John, Kristin, Jessica/Tony, Jamie, Kelly/Zachary, Timothy, Sami, Faris, Gwenna, Emilio, Violette, and Elliott and predeceased by his beloved parents Arthur Herman Trapper and Patricia A. Trapper (Lee).
Beloved longtime coach of the Lockport Ernies softball team, Scott spent much of his life as the “Mr. Mom” to his two sons. He also earned a degree in Computer Science and went on to become a Licensed Practical Nurse caring for the elderly throughout the Greater Buffalo area.
In his early life, he attended Amherst Central High School class of ’78 and was a volunteer fireman with the Snyder Fire Department. His ability to make people laugh and love unconditionally will never be forgotten.
Grants like this are made possible because of the generosity of Amherst Alumni and their donations. If you are interested in donating to the Amherst Central Alumni Foundation to help fund grants like these, visit https://www.amherstalumni.org/Donate.htm.
Tiger Tracks 