[Oe List ...] Visit with Fred Buss

[JOHN L. EPPS]

Thanks Jack.

Quoting Jack Gilles <icabombay at igc.org>:

> Dear Colleagues,
>
> I just wanted to share with you a little bit of our visit with Fred.
> George Walters, Judy & Bob Fishel and Judy and myself visited Fred at
> his care center this afternoon.  We had lunch with Ann, his
> "significant other" and then around 3 PM we all arrived to see Fred in
> his wheelchair waiting for us just outside the small library. i didn't
> know what do expect, knowing he was suffering from an infection and
> other complications from his treatment for his cancer.  We were told by
> Ann that he had lost 60 pounds.  My first look at him caused me to grin
> and rush out to greet him.  It was a thin, but smiling Fred, and if I
> squinted I could see the young man who taught my RS-I in 1966.  We  had
> a wonderful time with him!  Four two hours we talked and told stories.
> He wanted to know what happened in Mexico since he and Ann had
> originally planned to be there.  Although he occasionally struggled go
> get the right word out, most of the time was spent enjoying the Fred we
> all so lovingly remember.  He was thrilled by all of us being there and
> we were thrilled to be in his presence.  George presented him with the
> two volumes of the December DC Symposium on our legacy.  Fred had been
> there and was delighted to get them.  George printed out a copy on the
> library computer there of one of the pictures of Fred talking to
> Lindsey and Priscilla at the Symposium.    He will get him a color copy
> later.
>
> After two hours of great interchange and laughter we called Joe Thomas
> and we all shared greetings and laughter.  Joe is coming to see Fred on
> the 18th.   It became clear that we had reached his limits of strength
> and we said our goodbyes.  But one last thing Fred wanted to do, he
> stood up from his wheelchair to say goodbye to each of us with a hug.
> You can't imagine what it took for him to do that, it was so touching
> and meaningful.  But Fred was determined to do it, and he did.
>
> I don't want to comment or speculate on his illness and his future.
> Let's just say it is limited.  But Fred is living his life and dying
> his death in a way that does us all proud.  So if your travels take you
> anywhere near Boynton Beach drop in and get your soul refreshed.  Fred
> has always bathed us in his uniqueness and so he does even today.  I
> simply want to say Thank You Fred, it is an honor and profound
> privilege to have served this world with you.
>
> Grace & Peace,
>
> Jack
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