Family and friends are remembering Pastor Rowland Seth Buck of St. Mark’s Global Methodist Church in Louisville, Tennessee, as a compassionate and impactful leader for Christ after he was killed in a bike accident last week.

Alcoa Police Department (APD) confirmed Buck died on Aug. 26 after being struck by a semi-truck while on his morning bike ride. He was 61. 

According to a news release. APD officers responded to calls of a serious crash on East Hunt Road at North Wright Road just before 8 in the morning involving an 18-wheeler Semi Truck and a cyclist. Investigators with the department said Buck and the truck driver were going in the same direction before the truck driver side-swiped him on his bicycle.

First responders from APD, along with the Alcoa Fire Department and American Medical Response, began performing CPR on Buck before he was taken to UT Medical Hospital in critical condition, where he later died. The truck driver was unharmed. 

“It is with a heavy heart that I share with our St. Mark’s family and friends that on Tuesday, August 26th, our Pastor Rowland Buck was called home to heaven after an accident with his bicycle,” St. Mark's Global Methodist Church leaders released in a statement on Facebook.

According to his obituary, Pastor Buck was also a presiding elder in the Global Methodist Church.  He was married for 38 years to his wife, Sinda Buck. He leaves behind two children, Caleb Buck and Chris Buck, as well as three grandchildren. 

Since his death, there has been an outpour of support from those who knew him in the community.

“My heart is broken for Sinda and the rest of the family. Rowland wasn't just the best preacher I've ever known; he was my mentor and my friend. He leaves a giant hole in my heart and our church,” one person commented under the church’s Facebook post.

“He will be greatly missed in the Global Methodist Church. A true servant’s heart,” another person replied.

Pastor Buck's funeral will be held on Sept. 2 at Fairview Church.