Wir denken immer noch an Dich und unsere schöne gemeinsame Zeit in Deutschland

Wir denken sehr oft an Dich und an unsere gemeinsame Zeit in Deutschland.

Eulogy for CHARLES BUCHESKY 1934-2015


Do not go gentle into that good night
Old age should burn and rave at the close of day
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

These lines from Dylan Thomas always remind me of Charles, his ferocity and passion for life.   A realist, he lived in the here and now, but thought deeply about things. He marched to a different drummer, as Thoreau would say.

A learned man, Charles had a Ph.D in American literature.  He loved literature, especially poetry.  I've often wondered what his college students thought of this tall imposing professor who would spout poetry spontaneously in class--Yeats, Blake, and even Bob Dylan.

Charles could tell you much about Michigan geography, as he travelled its roads to colleges all over the state for his job at the Veterans' Administration.

He had an encyclopedic mind filled with facts from history, literature, politics, philosophy,  music and sports.  Charles I would say When was the Armenian genocide? or When did Edward the VIII abdicate?  He would always know the answer and would always tell me whose birthday it was--citing composers, literary figures, and historical personages.

Charles loved music, especially classical and folk music.  So if we were going to an Italian restaurant, I would pull out Pavarotti for our pre-dinner interlude, for the Irish pub, it would be the Chieftains, etc.  A non-ethnic restaurant would warrant Mozart, Respighi, Brucke, or folk music.

Charles was not a quiet man.  He quite energetically voiced his view of the world, whether it was politics, economics, U.S. public or foreign policy, history, or sports. 
I am sure that Jean refereed many a political discussion between Charles and David that had disintegrated into invective and expletives as the wine or beer flowed.   I remember again and again Charles and my father arguing about baseball and the Detroit Tigers over Saturday beers.

At 81, though physically gaunt, Charles retained a sharp mind and wit and an excellent memory.  He had his daily routines and his comfortable patterns of life--listening to Michigan Radio and NPR in the mornings, switching to WRCJ classical radio in the afternoon and public television in the evenings.  In good weather he walked the apple-lined walks near his residence and spent Wednesday evenings with me enjoying a variety of cuisine at various restaurants  (sometimes first stopping off to visit his friend Lonnie).  On weekends he would get together with friends and would have Sunday dinners with Dave and Jean.

In the seasons of his life Charles (in the tradition of Granny Unitis) would plant a vegetable garden in the spring--leeks, peppers, cucumbers, herbs and especially tomatoes--some were seedlings Jean raised; others were heirlooms from Bob's Market near me.  At holidays and in the summer he would have visits from his nephews and nieces, make his annual Wisconsin trip to see the Bergers, attend the annual August Lithuanian/Italian day celebration at Uncle Frank's and go with me on Labor day to the Renaissance Festival when we listened to music, drank Guinness beer and ended the day (at Charles' insistence) watching the Middle Eastern belly dancers.  Now these rhythms of life have ended for Charles; and he has left a gap in our hearts.

I would like to end with some verses from one of Charles' favorite poem/songs called the Parting Glass.

Of all the  money e'er I had
I spent it in good company.
And all the harm I've ever done
Alas, it was to none but me.

And all that I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall.
So fill to me the parting glass
Goodnight, and joy be to you all.

For all the comrades e'er I had
They're sorry for my going away.
And all the sweethearts e'er I had
They would wish me one more day to stay.
But it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not.
I'll gently rise and softly call
Goodnight and joy be to you all
Goodnight and joy be to you all.

I always enjoyed Charles quiet presence.  He gave the best bear hugs.  There are not many people that make me feel really small, my being 5' 10.5", but enveloped in his arms, I got lost and felt delicately small.  There will always be a soft spot in my heart for you Charley.

I loved Charlie, he brought companionship and happiness to my mother and made me laugh. He was a gentle soul. Jill Berger

Charley began visiting us when I was still in grade school.  Every summer he came from Michigan or Iowa when he was teaching there.  My mother Helen had a special relationship with Charley, dating back to when she stayed with Charley's family in NJ.  I loved his vists.  We shared a love of baseball and football, and attended many games together.  Charley had an amazing memory and when sports trivia questions arose, he was the final authority.  My wife Ann loved Charley and always told him she prayed for him.  Charley knew all my children and visited and kept up with them as they were growing up.  He was part of all of our lives and we will all miss him terribly.  He was the smartest man I ever knew.

Uncle Charley was like a second father to me. He was present in my life since I was born. One of my earliest memories I have of him was looking up at him and being amazed at just how tall he was (6 ft 6 I believe) and how he'd always duck when walking through doorways. Whenever he came over for Sunday dinner he'd lift me up in the air to the ceiling and then down again several times -the whole time I'd be shreiking with delight and our dog Tuesday would be circling us und barking, unsure what to do and whether I was really in danger. 
Sunday dinners were characterised by fierce political debate with my father (I was always on Charley's side) interspersed by a particular sort of goof ball humour which came to be known as 'Charley jokes'...  

What I admired about Charley was he was always there for the underdog (often siding with me against my parents). He was fiercely independent and he had a non-conformist rebel streak. He loved breaking the rules -but never in a way that would hurt others. He was a lover of good wine and classical music and was also very intelligent and well-read. Whenever he came over for dinner he would always put on an old classical music record for dinner -and would often have a go at joining in. He practiced speaking German with me and I remember how helpful he was when I was doing my term paper for my Art degree -he would recite full quotes of text and bits of poetry gleaned from his time as an English professor that were relevant for the theme I was writing about. He came to see me twice in Europe -once when I was studying in Germany and then later to visit in London and France. I remember him telling me that he would never forget the dinner we had sitting out in the forest in the middle of the Black Mountains with my French neighbour Marie-Claude who was a former opera singer. I was the translator but somehow he didn't really need my translation.
 
I will miss you Uncle Charley.

Charlie, I will miss our conversations regarding a variety of different topics including politics and MSU.  You had an intellectual ability to look at the 'big picture' analyze the issues with the voice of reason and share your insights with others.  Your friendly nature and optimism will be greatly missed.  My dad, Frank, always enjoyed seeing you and sharing time together.

OBITUARY

Charles S. Buchesky

January 8, 1934 – March 28, 2015

Edward Swanson & Son Funeral Home

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