Robert John Buckley of East Hampton, a former Chicago police officer, died of cardiopulmonary arrest on June 25 at the Westhampton Care Center. He was 86 and had been ill for four years.
Mr. Buckley, who was born on June 5, 1934, in Chicago to John Wren Buckley and the former Edith Barrett, grew up there and earned an associate's degree in public service from Wright Junior College. In 1956 he married the former Viola King of East Hampton. The couple brought up three children in Chicago.
He enlisted in the Air Force and, starting in 1957, was stationed at Camp Hero in Montauk for four years. After spending more than 30 years on the Chicago police force, he retired in 1992, and he and his wife moved to East Hampton. She died in 2002.
Mr. Buckley was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a fishing club for retired police officers in Wisconsin. He enjoyed the ocean, boating, bicycling, and theme parks, and was known for having a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh.
He is survived by a daughter, Susan Buckley of East Hampton, two sons, Michael Buckley of Ormond-by-the-Sea, Fla., and Patrick Buckley of Chicago, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Mr. Buckley was cremated, and his ashes will be scattered in the ocean.
