Alumni Tribute

Remembering Carol Franc Buck ’54

San Domenico alumna, former trustee, and longtime benefactor Carol Franc Buck ’54 passed away on April 9, 2022. A native San Franciscan and passionate supporter of the arts and education, Carol was a thoughtful and generous donor to numerous organizations she loved. Among her many contributions to San Domenico over the years, Buck was instrumental in the creation of San Domenico’s Hall of the Arts, serving as the lead donor to the Campaign for Growth in 1999. The eponymous Carol Franc Buck Hall of the Arts and Carol Franc Buck Scholarship Fund both continue to enrich our program and community. Together with her mother and family, Carol also provided significant support to establish the Virtuoso Program Scholarship Endowment. Carol found joy and took pride in making an impact in the lives of student scholars at San Domenico, always with great humility. When attending the Vivaldi and other annual Virtuoso Program concerts, she delighted in meeting students during her visits to campus and hearing what they were choosing to do with their lives.

Born in San Francisco and raised in Vacaville, Carol was a boarding student at San Domenico. She was adventurous and athletic, enjoying equestrian competitions and carrying a bit of the spirit of the Wild West in her veins. After graduating from San Domenico in 1954, Carol attended and graduated from Stanford University. She raised a family in Crystal Bay, Nevada, and served on the boards of numerous organizations in the Sierra Nevada region as well as San Francisco. Carol is survived by her son, Christian Pardee Erdman, his wife, Jackie, and a granddaughter, Makenzie.

Loyal friend to her classmates from the Class of 1954, Carol was straightforward and possessed a wonderful sense of humor. Her perspective on life was refreshing; her balance of humility and compassion, along with her generosity to others, will be greatly missed by so many of us at San Domenico.