SEVERYN BRUYN Obituary

BRUYN, Severyn T. On May 26, 2019, retired professor of Sociology at Boston College, Severyn T. Bruyn, passed away peacefully at age 91, at home in Newton. He leaves his beloved wife, Louise Bruyn, son, George Bruyn and his wife June Epperson, daughter, Rebecca Bruyn and her wife Cindy Rosenbaum, daughter, Susan Collyer, and grandchildren, Matthew Collyer, Sev Bruyn, and Tiffany Brister. Founder of the participatory observation approach to research in the field of sociology, Bruyn authored 10 books and inspired the innovative Leadership for Change program at Boston College. Memorial service to be announced at a later date.

Published by Boston Globe from May 29 to Jun. 2, 2019.
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Memories and Condolences
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I remember Sev as a wonderful, kind, brilliant man! I loved to be around him - he always had a smile on his face! He had a wonderful sense of humor, and made us all laugh. He was a fantastic ballroom dancer! I miss him immensely! My love to all - Kappy

Kappy Muenzer

Family

May 24, 2022

Robert Funke

May 24, 2020

This should be simple, something akin to, "Sev was a great man." Like the man himself, this is a bit more complicated. I met Sev though Veterans For Peace, rarely do I make a decision about someone when I first meet them, Sev was the exception. He greeted me as if I were a long lost nephew, gave me a hug and we started to talk. He monitored his tone between college professor and long time friend.The energy that came from him was astonishing. He was involved with just about everything that a person with a heart of gold could be.
For the too few years that I knew Sev, he was one of the most remarkable men I've personally known. He wrote and produced a musical ode to the, "Teachers of Norway", who defied the Nazis during the occupation. He was a prolific writer and understood the human condition better than anyone else I have ever met.
He never bad word to say about anyone, and no one could ever say a bad word about him. His dedication to his wife Louise was truly, "Old School" and was reciprocal. Louise walked from Newton to DC to protest the war in Vietnam, every evening, Sev checked on her progress. This is a love story for the ages.
I have no religious beliefs of my own, but I am of a spiritual nature. We are all little more than chemicals and energy. Energy can not be produced, nor can it be destroyed, but it can be transitioned. I like to think that when we leave this plane, our energy is transformed and we are free to see all of the beauty of the universe.
Knowing Sev and Louise has been an honor of a lifetime.

Robert Funke

October 14, 2019

Last fall, Alex Brown and I attended the Veterans for Peace rally after the Veterans Day parade in Boston. Severyn couldn't be there, but he had sent a letter, beautifully and forcefully written, that urged his fellow Veterans for Peace to support the perspective of Smedley Butler, the namesake of the Boston Veterans for Peace brigade. He urged his fellow veteran peace activists to do all they could to help people understand that war is fought and suffered by the many to benefit the very few. The whole rally was very moving, but the reading of Severyn's letter remains the most memorable part of it for me. I had known Severyn as Louise's husband, as a smiling face at Mass Peace Action Music for Peace concerts. That letter let me know him as a clear thinker and generous teacher. Alex and I both send love to Louise and to all the family, and to Severyn's fellow Veterans for Peace. May we all carry his light forward!

Meredith Brown

Acquaintance

October 13, 2019

in loving remembrance,
Jeremy

Jeremy

June 6, 2019

Fond memories of being with Sev and Louise during the 1970s and 80s at Cambridge Friends Meeting and AFSC. Holding Louise and family in the Light. Liz Yeats

Liz YEATS

June 3, 2019

hey Rebecca & Cindy,
Lois & I are sending our sincere condolences.
Good memories of Sev are the key.
Hope to see you this summer.
love you both,
joe&LO

Joe Hemes

June 3, 2019

To a great man and a wonderful papa. Hard to fill those shoes you set out but wonderful to imagine doing so... the future is waiting for all of us to fill big shoes... thank you poppy for setting those huge graceful imprints out so I can keep on the working with the light you ignited. xoxo <3

Susan Collyer

June 2, 2019

I will miss Sev, my fellow Veteran for Peace.

Jim Zozzaro

May 31, 2019

Sending my condolences to the Bruyn Family - Sev was an extraordinarily gifted man who did so much for so many to make this a better world! On a personal note, I could not have asked for a more fun and loving brother-in-law, who was a great story-teller and conversationalist. Everyone who knew Sev, will miss him greatly, but he will remain with us in our hearts and minds forever - until we see him again one beautiful sunny day! Much love, Kappy Muenzer

May 31, 2019

Our hearts go to you all. Love from the Penzer family

Martha A. Penzer

May 31, 2019

Pat Scanlon

May 31, 2019

Pat Scanlon

May 31, 2019

Sev was a gentle giant of a man. His Love of Humanity will be carried forth by all who knew him. Rarely, has such a man stood among us, everyone who knew Sev will miss his sense of humor, his search for Justice and work for Peace. I am humbled as I think of him and all he accomplished and grieve with Louise and the rest of his family. Few men enter the realm where Sev lived, a place of serenity, knowledge and wisdom. Great men never die, those of us who knew him will carry on his memory. My sincerest condolences to the wonderful Louise and Sev's family.

Robert Funke

May 31, 2019

Sev made a great impression on me. I thought he was indomitable until I read his obituary. But his spirit and legacy are another matter. His great heart and mind, his tireless activism and insights will inspire me the rest of my life. Love and warmth to his family. Ralph Galen

Ralph Galen

May 31, 2019

Sev Bruyn was a beloved and respected member of Veterans For Peace, the Smedley D. Butler Brigade. His boundless energy, sense of humor, laughter, love and respect for this earth and committed peacemaker will forever be remembered. Sev was a voice of reason, a quiet leader who was an inspiration to all who knew him.
He will be missed.
Sev Bruyn Presente
Pat Scanlon

Patrick Scanlon

May 31, 2019

Nate Goldshlag

May 31, 2019

Nate Goldshlag

May 31, 2019

Nate Goldshlag

May 31, 2019

Nate Goldshlag

May 31, 2019

Sev was an amazing man, a true Renaissance man. An activist, poet, musician, painter, scuptor. I have known and loved Sev for many years as a peace activist in Veterans For Peace.

The world is worse off for the loss of Sev Bruyn.

Nate Goldshlag

Nate Goldshlag

May 31, 2019

Sev was an amazing creative spirit whose energy and depth inspired all whose privilege it was to know him.

He leaves a gaping hole in humanism and love.

jonathan brickman

Jonathan Brickman

May 29, 2019

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