[Oe List ...] Visit with Fred Buss

[PSchrijnen at aol.com]

Thanks Jack, 
 
It is good to hear that such a gathering took place: that the group was  
able to visit Fred and Ann, and that he was able to host you. I have been on 
the  phone with him regularly over the last 6-7 months and it has been quite 
a ride. 
 
Warm regards,
 
Paul
 
 
In a message dated 07/03/2011 03:11:16 GMT Standard Time, icabombay at igc.org 
 writes:

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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