Photo courtesy of Paul R. Young Funeral Home - Oxford
1939 - 2017 (Age 77)
48 years ago Bruce officiated at our wedding at Occidental College. He had a great sense of humor and perspective. We enjoyed his friendship and guidance. He had a remarkable life.
Val & Rusty Reece
Val Reece
May 26, 2018 | Manhattan Beach, CA
Bruce was my chaplain, friend, and mentor at Occidental College in the late '60s. I had the pleasure of being on his liturgy committee which wrote the chapel services. Bruce inspired me to attend Union Seminary, which was a turning point in my life. I am grateful for knowing him, and for the blessing of reconnecting with him last summer in New Hampshire.
In his worship services at Oxy, he used many variations of an affirmation I loved...
"We embrace life as it is today, with all its...
William Phillips
April 30, 2017 | Auburn, ME
A good man! So kind so gentle!
Mike Van Pelt
April 27, 2017 | Champaign, IL
I only know of Rev. Bueschel through my dear friend Rev. Lawrence Bartel. However, from the obituary, he and I were kindred spirits as he was born two years after I, and we had/have a passion for justice. Without having met, we were in Selma, AL in 1966 with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the host of Civil Rights Advocates from across the nation and possibly the world.
"Well done good and faithful servant..." Take your rest in the heavenly kingdom prepared for you. ...
Donald B. Register
April 26, 2017 | Oak Park, IL
So sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. I've lived next door to Bruce for 13 years and, despite having lived in many places and having had more than my fair share of great neighbors, Bruce was the best. He and Ellen made us feel welcome from the day we moved in and quickly became not only neighbors, but also friends. It was always a pleasure and never a chore to help Bruce with a project, whether it was helping him mulch his flower beds, cutting up fallen tree limbs, or putting up and taking...
Ron Zemko
April 26, 2017 | Oxford, OH
Bruce will be greatly missed. He was a brilliant theologian, a compassionate individual, and an inspiration to many. May the wonderful memories you have of Bruce remain with you always.
Karen Shearer
April 25, 2017 | Oxford, OH
Tom, you might not remember me, but I remember you from Buckbee School. If I remember correctly, we were in the same grade. I graduated from Guilford High School in 1969. My maiden name was Hartman. You & your entire family have my deepest condolences & prayers for your loss.
Sherry Davis
April 25, 2017 | Rockford, IL
I knew Bruce when we both stayed at Koinonia Cooperative, Baptist Student Foundation, at the University of Illinois. Only one year older, Bruce was much wiser than his age, counselling me on theological matters. He had a calling - knew exactly where he wanted to go to theology school and what he wanted to do with his life. He will be missed.
Bill Feddersen
April 25, 2017 | Palm Desert, CA
We will miss this kind, gentle, and loving friend and brilliant theologian. Our sympathies and prayers are with Ellen and Bruce's family.
Pat and Jack Gifford
April 25, 2017 | Oxford, OH
Reverend Dr. Bruce B. Bueschel, born in Niagara, Wisconsin, October 31, 1939, died Friday, April 21, 2017. The first of four children born to Ruby and Gordon Bueschel, he grew up in Rockford, Illinois and went to University of Illinois where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. Extraordinarily well educated, Bruce earned a Bachelor’s of Divinity at the Colgate Rochester School of Divinity in Rochester, New York. He received a Masters of Divinity at Union Seminary in New York City, and studied under Paul Tillich and Rheinhold Niebuhr, prominent religious philosophers of the twentieth century. He earned a PhD in Bioethics at Colgate Rochester and studied at St. Andrews in Scotland. Bruce tended to many individual church congregations, including the Second Congregational Church of Rockford, Illinois.
He became the Senior Pastor of the Church of the Covenant in downtown Boston, a church known for its beautiful Tiffany windows. He raised funds to renovate the sanctuary to its nineteenth century beauty. He developed funding and space for battered women and homeless people in the same location. He was chaplain at Occidental College in California where he successfully arbitrated a student attempt to take over the academic/administrative buildings in the unrest in the late 1960’s. As the administrator for United Campus Ministry in Oxford, Ohio, he created programs, made the ministry fiscally sound and renovated the historic UCM building where his hand carved crosses remain on the corbels under the roof eaves. He was a staunch civil rights advocate in the 1960’s and opposed the Vietnam War. He participated in the March on Selma and attended the Martin Luther King March on Washington. A lover of classical music and the artistry of sacred stain glass, he became an accomplished designer and producer of stained glass. Bruce also relished antiques and the restoration of vintage automobiles as well as wood craft. Additionally, he wrote music. He loved the pageantry, liturgy and symbols of the Presbyterian Church.
He is predeceased by his wife, Dr. Ellen Bueschel, Professor of Educational Leadership and Superintendent of Schools in Indiana, Massachusetts and Illinois. He has two accomplished sisters, Sandra Bueschel Connell, Barbara Bueschel Schulz (Wally) and a brother, Tom Bueschel (Erin). He leaves 8 cherished nephews and nieces, most of whom he married, baptized their children and imparted his unique brand of kindness and civility. He will be missed by his friends, his Presbyterian family and Ellen Buerk, M. D.!
In lieu of flowers, contribution may be made the Youth Group of the Oxford Presbyterian Church, 101 N. Main St., Oxford, OH 45056.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:00pm on Saturday, April 29, 2017 with funeral services beginning at 1:00pm at the Oxford United Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be made on line at www.oglepaulyoungfuneralhome.com
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