[Oe List ...] More memories of Fred

[J and J Barker]

Some Memories of Fred from the Barkers

It is one of the greatest privileges of our lives to have known Fred. He combined the roles of guru, jester, bon vivant and loquacious story-teller. Above a man of faith. He was a remarkable combination of wisdom and humour (a rare combination!). Someone was wise enough to include him on the assignment to Australia in 1967-68 for he could win over Australians like no other. Fred along with Sarah (with Elizabeth and infant Lindsey) was assigned with Don Clarke to criss cross the country to spearhead the quarterly teaching program. Fred often came to Perth and stayed with us. Then there was Chicago 1969 and a great catching up in Vail in 2000. The following is only a small sample of our memories of Fred.

* Insisting that he would only stay at one place because that was what Jesus instructed.

* Always eager for the first hand experience e.g. on a trip to Port Hedland insisting that we go inland 250 KMS to Nullagine to meet Aboriginal people who had come in from the desert for the first time. Also on that trip meeting with Don McLeod the Communist leader of the first strike of  Aboriginal stockmen in the 1940’s who was astounded that an American would talk with him.

* Enabling tongue-tied Australians to use their voice.

* The well remembered PLC at Kalamunda; attended by an Anglican Bishop and his reluctant clergy - Fred gave them hell much to the approval of Bishop Rosier; the longest lecture introduction ever based on Kierkegaard’s defiance vs faith; and then having to endure most of Clavell’s “Taipan” read out loud every night of the course.

* Being unable to cope with the Australian insistence of having fresh air in their homes even in the middle of winter.

* Addressing students of the University of Western Australia on the topic of Freedom without telling anyone that it was based on the Bonhoeffer paper. (John Burbidge organised this!)

* Always critiquing and affirming would-be pedagogues – for us, the best mentor ever.

* Enjoying dining out – including mutual birthday celebrations. While he introduced us to new drinks such as Whiskey Sour we introduced him to the best Australian wines!

* Could greet you with “Still keeping despair at a distance?”

* No one else taught the Individual and Family Course like Fred did. The traditional Marriage service took on entirely new meanings.

We are profoundly thankful for Fred and remember him as a free man, who plumbed the depths, glimpsed his shortcomings, his mortality and the Mystery but decided to laugh at life for it is good. His voice unfailingly echoes in our meditative council!

May all who gather to celebrate know that they are joined with a large host who would love to be there.
Jonathan and Janeen

 






On 28/07/2011, at 10:55 AM, Joseph Slicker wrote:

> Dear Colleagues:
> 	One could not help but note the heart-felt responses of gratitude for the life and dying of Fred Buss.  Affirmations glowed in their response.  Oh Yes, some took a punch or two.  Behind it all we begin to see peoples perspective of, or projection on, Fred.  
> 	But that is the purpose of the Memorial Service.  It is the "jazz of life" of the whole Fred that is celebrated.  However,  It does not stop there.  The life of each of us---our 'jazz' ('warts and all)--- is engulfed in celebration.  
> 	And let us not forget that such a celebration also includes the grandeur of the 'aches and pains'---'goods and bads' of the whole of creation. 
> 	May the service be an ecstasy of Hallalujahs (the praise of What Is).
> One Love that engulfs us all.  Joe Slicker
> 
> 
> 
> Joseph A. Slicker
> joseph.slicker at gmail.com
> (469) 547-7742 (Home)
> (972) 754-6740 (Cell)
> 
> 
> 
> 
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