[Oe List ...] Visit with Fred Buss

[John Cock]

A great collegial gathering on our behalf. Thank you J&J, GW, J&B. And,
thank you, Fred, for the hugs.

What a fellowship,

John

-----Original Message-----
From: oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf
Of Jack Gilles
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 10:11 PM
To: Order Ecumenical Community
Subject: [Oe List ...] Visit with Fred Buss

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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