BRUNSWICK, Maine — Dr. Peter S. Buck, co-founder of the Subway restaurant chain and a South Portland native, has died, according to his alma mater, Bowdoin College.
Bowdoin College said Friday that Buck graduated from the school in 1952. It awarded him an honorary degree in 2008.
The Peter Buck Center for Health and Fitness, which opened in 2009, was named for the restaurant co-founder, according to the college.
Subway's website said Buck, a nuclear physicist, launched the restaurant chain with a college student, Fred DeLuca. more than 50 years ago. DeLuca died in 2015.
The restaurant's history section said Buck gave DeLuca the idea to open a submarine sandwich shop to help pay his tuition. He then provided an initial investment of $1,000.
The first restaurant was opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut, according to Subway. Today, the brand has more than 40,000 restaurants around the world, the website states.
