Bernard “Buzz” Englund
Bernard “Buzz” Englund, 78, passed away on October 16, 2021 in his Kenosha residence where he lived for 47 years. He was born in Kenosha on May 1, 1943 to the late Wendell Ruben and Pearl Frieda (Blomberg) Englund. He graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1961. He loved his high school classmates and remained lifelong friends with many of them. He always helped with running the class reunion, and wrote the invocation for this year’s 60th reunion. He attended the University of Wisconsin Extension where he played basketball and was all conference, MVP and Captain of the team. He then attended Northwest Missouri University on a football scholarship where he played football for 3 years and track for 2. Upon graduation he attended the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee where he received his Masters Degree.
He took great joy in his job as an educator and coach. After graduating from college he taught math at Lance Junior High School for 6 years where he coached football, basketball and track. His track teams were undefeated and won the City Championship all 6 years he was coaching at Lance. He also won a City Track Championship at Lincoln Junior High where he coached for a few years. He then went on to teach mathematics at Tremper High School for 29 years. In addition to teaching at Tremper he enjoyed advising the Interact Club, as well as coaching football and track. He coached track for over 30 years. He was on the Board of the Special Olympics, acted as Little League Commissioner for 2 years, served on the Harbor Commission for 20 years, on the Kenosha School Board for 3 years, on the board of the Friends of the Library, and worked on the committee for the Kenosha Athletic Hall of Fame from its inception as well as being an inductee. His interest in business led him to being co-owner of Allendale Video, obtaining his real estate brokers license, and partnering with his dear friend Terry Lawler in forming E&L Educational Enterprises.
He enjoyed playing in City League basketball and softball as well as the local golf leagues. You would often see him doing his scenic walks or biking along Lake Michigan. He rarely missed meeting with his close friends at the Common Grounds or the weekly Tremper Teacher breakfasts.
The best thing he ever did was marry his high school sweetheart, Suzette Arnoldini. They have three children: Chad, Clint and Jeni, and four grandchildren: Neo, Eli, Anik and Synjin. He was generous, kind, never too busy for a chat or to take the time to give advice. If he was aware of a need, he would try to help. He was deliberate about being excellent in everything he did, whether it was painting a fencepost or writing a speech. He valued honesty, integrity and grit, and set a high bar for those he mentored. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Suzette, his beloved children, Chad (Tammi) and their children Elijah and Synjin, Jeni (Norman) Vossschulte and their children Neo and Anik and son Clint Englund; sisters Sally Ricker and Anne Lubkeman, and brother Lee (Jean) Englund and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by, infant brothers, Clarence and Wendell, sister Mary Statema, brother Warren & niece Laura, sister Corinne Englehardt and nephews Charles (Chuck) & Craig , and nephews Brian Englund, Lynn Ricker, and Rick Teper, as well as brothers-in-law Peter Statema, Chas Engelhardt, and Dwain Ricker.
A memorial service for Buzz will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 27th,2021 at Kemper Center – Founder’s Hall (6501 -3rd Avenue). A visitation will be held on Wednesday at Kemper from 4:00 P.M. until the time of service. Buzz’s family will be making donations to different charities in his honor, so in lieu of flowers, memorials to the family would be appreciated.
Special thanks to the KVNA Shannon, Danielle, Jen, Erwin and Krystal and to Hospice Alliance and Dr. David Knight and his team for the compassionate treatment they gave Buzz.
Jerald Greco
Suzette, our condolences to you and the family. So sorry for your loss.
May you Rest In Peace Buzz. You made a difference in so many peoples lives.
Jerry and Teri Lea Greco
Rita Martino (Ginocchio)
Tonight was a well attended memorial service at Kemper Center, in remembrance of our classmate, Buzz Englund. The endless line of people waiting long periods of time to give their condolences to Suzette and family members was a testament to the affection and respect we have for a person who we've known since our teen years at Bradford HS. I've seldom witnessed this outpouring of affection for one individual but then again, it wasnt a total surprise either. It was very heart warming to see the multitude of classmates that came to pay their respects to the fallen hero. Every person in attendance embraced Suzette and was warmly received with her typical enthusiasm. In an odd moment, I'm remembering six decades ago her sharing her salacious thoughts about the "Buzz" as we gazed in his direction with fond affection (her, not me) in the hallways between classes. Fate has a way of stepping in and serendipity eventually happened. A myriad of photographs chronicled the extraordinary life of Buzz Englund. Love, marriage, careers, children, mortgages, travel photos, birthday parties..."from birth to earth, from womb to tomb"! But if I had to take a guess at what Buzz was the most proud of I'd have to say it was his two handsome, tall sons, a beautiful daughter ( the spitting image of her Mother) and four gorgeous teen grandsons, every bit genetically blessed. They have some tough shoes to fill as they were witness to the life their grandfather lived and how many lives were touched by him. His son in law, Norman, spoke at length, giving a wonderful eulogy about the man he grew to love and respect over the years. I wonder if he realized until tonight just how many people felt this way about his Dad by marriage and how fortunate he was to be part of this family. And now here we were. Saying good-bye to a piece of our lives. A piece of our history that was once the best days of our lives. Every story has a beginning and an end. I'm fond of a poem I'll repeat here. It sort of puts in perspective what I just witnessed. I'll let you decide."Gone From My Sight"
by poet Henry Van Dyke
I am standing at the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, "there, she is gone"! Gone where ? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone says, "there, she is gone", there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes"! And that is dying.
And that is what I perceive has just happened. With much sadness, Buzzy left our sight. But others enthusiastically heralding his coming. He has gone Home !
And when the time comes for our ship to set sail for Home, as we arrive into port, hopefully we'll see Buzzy standing with our loved ones, waving enthusiastically and saying "here she/he comes"!
I expect nothing less !
Alex Matusevicius
Rita's words and the story she shared are so telling of life's journey. Buzz indeed had a wonderful "bon voyage" from his earthly friends and colleagues. Safe passage, Buzz. See you on the other side.
Joan Veale (Copen)
Suzette,My mom wanted me to send a message to let you know we are thinking of you all. Buzz will be dearly missed, but his memory will live on in all of the amazing relationships he created and maintained and the lives he touched.
Much love from Joanie Veale Copen
Milton Hagopian
Hello Suzette;
Dorothy and I are sorry for you in this time of Buzz' passing. Please accept our deepest condolences.
Joan Veale (Copen)
Suzette,My mom wanted me to send a message to let you know we are thinking of you all. Buzz will be dearly missed, but his memory will live on in all of the amazing relationships he created and maintained and the lives he touched.
Much love from Joanie Veale Copen
Edmund Jozwiak
Dear Suzette, Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing you and Buzzy, as I was so fortunate to, knows that you two were the role model of love and caring between a husband and wife. There will always be a place in my heart remembering the both of you. My Deepest Sympathy to you, Suzette and your Family. Eddie Jozwiak
Ray Roedel
I send my condolences to you Suzette and your family. Did not know Buzz well but remember him as a very kind person as well as humble man. I great guy. Not much more can be said that has not been said already by others.
Donna Parkinson (Voss)
Beautiful poem Rita! I loved the disappearing ship metaphor. I remembr Buzz as humble and kind. He never bragged. He just did things. Actions always speak louder than words.
Donna Parkinson (Voss)
Beautiful poem Rita! I loved the disappearing ship metaphor. I remembr Buzz as humble and kind. He never bragged. He just did things. Actions always speak louder than words.