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ARTHUR BUSS  Obituary pic

ARTHUR BUSS

Born: Jul 13, 1918

Date of Passing: Feb 21, 2016

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ARTHUR BUSS Born in Winnipeg on July 13, 1918, Arthur died peacefully on February 21, 2016 at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, BC. He will be greatly missed by his children Robert, Allan (Stella), Verdell (Dennis), and Greg (Cate); his grandchildren Jeff, Natalie (Randy), Jordan, Margo (John), Matthew (Liz), and Maddie; his great-grandchildren Hannah, Mason, Jackson, Jamieson, Victoria, Graham, Henry; and his sisters Margaret and Ruth. He was predeceased by Alma, his wife of 62 years, in 2003, and his daughter Judith in 2014. Arthur began his teaching career in 1950 as a violin teacher for the Winnipeg School Division. From 1955 to 1980 he was the Band Director at David Thompson/Elmwood High School. "Mr. Buss" will be fondly remembered by his many students. In his retirement, Arthur enjoyed working with stained glass, wine making, and travelling in their motor home in Canada and the U.S. In 2007 he moved to White Rock to be closer to his children. The family gives special thanks to the staff at Peace Arch Hospital (ACE and PATH Units) for their wonderful care of Arthur. A family memorial celebration will take place at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 27, 2016

Condolences & Memories (18 entries)

  • Did not hear of Mr. Buss’s passing until very recently. I played the clarinet in the David Thompson:/Elmwood High and Marching Bands from 1962-1968. Those six years made me enjoy life at school and instilled in me a life-long love for music that I still have with the guitar and keyboard. Learning the eclectic pieces we played, from classical to popular tunes was made fun with Mr Buss’s warm good humour and caring teaching style. I remembering our band beating the Music Festival competitors almost every time! Belated condolences to the family. Rest easy Mr Buss. You were my favourite teacher, bar none! Brian McCarroll - Posted by: Brian McCarroll (Band Student) on: Feb 16, 2022

  • I am not surprised to see so many comments that say "Mr.Buss was my favourite teacher." I have many fond memories of him as well. I have 5 sisters and we all were in the band over the years and lucky to be students of Mr. Buss. I was the second youngest so having taught four of my sisters before me, I vividly remember his "Oh no, not another one!" comment on my first day in his class. He was a great teacher and he made learning music fun. He had the respect of his students - even when we had to learn the classical pieces that weren't as much fun as some of the more popular pieces. I'm sure there are a lot of fun stories that could be told about our band trips too! Sincere condolences to his family. He was a great man. RIP Mr. Buss. - Posted by: Jo-Anne Wood (nee Faykes) (Former band student) on: Mar 21, 2016

  • My husband and I met in Grade 7 in the band.(1957 to 1963 ).He was a wonderful man and excellent teacher. He instilled in us both a love of music that we have to this day. We have so many fond memories of our band trips, music festivals, and as the Blue Bomber band. One of our fondest memories was the 25th anniversary of the band held at the concert hall, when we came out to greet him onstage, dressed in the original blue and gold band uniforms from the 60's. He remembered us both ..what a treasured memory and an unforgettable evening! Our sincere condolences to his family. He will forever be remembered for being such a positive influence on our lives. Thank You - Posted by: Glen & Enid (nee Lambert) Kirby (Former band members) on: Mar 11, 2016

  • Mr Buss changed my life. From concert band to marching band, drummer for the Blue Bomberettes, attending the Peace Gardens, percussion workshops at Brandon University music has always been a large part of my life I thank you from the bottom of my heart. After 45 years I actually phoned and talked to him about 2 months ago and he remembered me and said "Your that drummer" GOD SPEED Mr Buss - Posted by: D J Sandrk (Former band student) on: Mar 01, 2016

  • In our working class neighbourhood our parents didn't have the resources to have us experience the creative arts. Lucky for us we fell under the guidance of gifted and dedicated teachers who exposing us to music, theatre and the fine arts. The best of times were in Mr. Buss' band where we learned to play all ganders of music, and play them really well. In 2008 we visited Arthur when he was 90. In perfect health and with excellent memory he fondly shared his years as a musician and his years as our conductor (see him tell his story at http://arthurbuss.ning.com). He was truly a talented and outstanding individual who shaped our lives in such a positive and lasting way. - Posted by: Tibor Bodi (Band member 1961 to 1969) on: Feb 29, 2016

  • Mr. Buss was the band director when the Elmwood High School Band accompanied the Winnipeg Blue Bomberettes in many parades, stadium performances and some tours. He was a very patient and kind man. My condolences to the family. - Posted by: Corinne Mooring (Member of Winnipeg Blue Bomberettes) on: Feb 29, 2016

  • I have many fond memories of Mr. Buss and my years under his direction in the Elmwood High School Band. I loved Band! He made learning to make music so much fun! I am so proud of the music we made with him. I cherish the memories of the competitions we won at the Music Festival and will never forget playing on the stage of the Concert Hall when it opened. He enriched the lives of so many of us. May he rest in peace and my condolences to his family. - Posted by: Darlene (Mitchell) Lambert (Former band student) on: Feb 28, 2016

  • Such fond memories of Mr. Buss! At David Thompson back in the '60s I wanted to start on clarinet, but he encouraged me to play flute, which I then just loved! He encouraged me to attend the International Music Camp, to play in Concert Band, and was a wonderful person overall, passionate about, encouraging and supporting the love of music. In Grade 9 we were lucky to have him as homeroom teacher. Condolences to his family. Mr. Buss was truly a special man and educator. R.I.P. - Posted by: Irene (Zaeh) Klotz (former band student) on: Feb 28, 2016

  • Mr Buss was always my favorite teacher. He always ended the final band concert with "The Happy Wanderer". I graduated the year Mr Buss retired & on our final concert we played The Happy Wandered. To everyone's surprise & delight, including Mr Buss, a group of alumni students marched into the gym and joined the senior band playing Mr Buss'signature closing song. It was such a touching moment for everyone in attendance. - Posted by: Janyce (Veren) Ciereszko (former student) on: Feb 28, 2016

  • I had 4 wonderful years as a band member with Mr. Buss as Director. He loved music and passed that on to me for a lifetime. I still hum/sing classical pieces that we played back in the mid 60's and some of the best memories of my childhood were made making music. I have wonderful memories of those times including Mr.Buss being gently admonished by an adjudicator at the annual Band/Music Festival for singing along with our competition piece. I don't think we won.-:) He was a good human being, a truly nice guy and my life has been better for having known him. - Posted by: Bob Greenhalgh (Former student) on: Feb 28, 2016

  • Mr. Buss, my band teacher at David Thompson junior high (later Elmwood High) taught me all about teamwork and of course appreciation of the power of music. He was one of those rare teachers who loved his subject and was a tireless enthusiast working over his lunch hours and meeting us for Bomber Band practices in the evenings on his own time. Many good memories of playing at Bomber games and marching in parades! We were blessed to have such a fine, good-natured man in our lives. - Posted by: Elaine (Kurys) Seepish (student) on: Feb 28, 2016

  • I was never in the band, but remember Mr. Buss at Elmwood high. RIP - Posted by: Wayne Kasper () on: Feb 27, 2016

  • My deepest sympathy to the Buss family. Mr. Buss was my band teacher for 6 years and not once did I ever regret "trying out" for the band. Every practice was so much fun and it was Mr. Buss who made it fun. So many fond memories of a wonderful man. - Posted by: Karen (Crane) Nelson (Band Student) on: Feb 27, 2016

  • Mr. Buss was my favourite teacher. I always enjoyed going to band practice. He made the classes fun and had a great sense of humour. Mr. Buss retired one year too soon and my last year of band wasn't as enjoyable. Our parents (Joe and Betty Reimer) were very good friends with Mr. and Mrs. Buss and had dinner with them occasionally. Our sincere sympathies on behalf of the Reimer family, Joe, Betty, Dean, Brian and Barry. RIP Mr. Buss. - Posted by: The Reimers (Students and friend of our parents) on: Feb 27, 2016

  • We were so lucky to be chosen to be in Mr Buss's class! He gave us a love of music and many life-time friends. So many memories! One is the way he would raise his baton for us to get ready to play, then lower it, take out his hankie, wipe his nose, then raise the baton again. It was an action that made us grin and much less nervous to play. Mr Buss- you influenced my life in so many ways. Thank you. - Posted by: Karen Osted Jacks (Band student 1961 to 1967) on: Feb 27, 2016

  • We were so lucky to be chosen to be in Mr Buss's class! He gave us a love of music and many life-time friends. So many memories! One is the way he would raise his baton for us to get ready to play, then lower it, take out his hankie, wipe his nose, then raise the baton again. It was an action that made us grin and much less nervous to play. Mr Buss- you influenced my life in so many ways. Thank you. - Posted by: Karen Osted Jacks (Band student 1961 to 1967) on: Feb 27, 2016

  • My condolences to your family. My fondest memories of going to Elmwood was looking forward to band with Mr Buss. He was my favourite teacher. I loved playing the French horn in front of his podium and listening to him sing along to the tune we were playing making up goofy words. Our trips to Grand Forks and Minneapolis were some of the highlights. He retired the year I graduated grade 12. He was the BEST!!! - Posted by: Bonnie Boychuk (Former band student) on: Feb 27, 2016

  • When I was in Grade 9, Mr. Buss made a deal with our class. If we won at the Band Festival, he would throw us a party but if we lost we had to throw him a party. Well we did our best and WON. He threw us a party at his house. I also remember the band trips to Grand Forks, Brandon, and Swan River. He was a wonderful, inspiring teacher who will be forever remembered by all his students. - Posted by: Kathy (Kasper) Johns (former band student) on: Feb 27, 2016

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