Glen Lawrence Buschmann

Buschmann—Glen Lawrence Buschmann, 66, on October 30, 2019, peacefully in Olympia, Wash., while sitting with his wife, Janet, listening to one of his favorite songs. Glen had lived with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) for several years.

Glen was born in 1953 to Laurie Gibbs in Seattle, Wash. A few days after his birth, Glen was adopted by Phyllis Lawrence Buschmann and Richard Christy Buschmann. He was raised in Seattle, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1972. Following graduation, Glen remained in Seattle, working at the Seattle Public Library as well as several restaurants where he learned to be a master baker. In 1984, he moved to Olympia to attend Evergreen State College. Glen graduated in 1986 with a focus on ecological agriculture.

Glen had a strong interest in community activism. In the 1980s, he spent several months walking across Europe as a participant in “A Walk to Moscow,” a peace march to promote nuclear disarmament. Glen returned to Olympia and established a landscape gardening business, which was his primary work for the remainder of his life.

Glen met Janet Partlow at a monthly singing group in Olympia. They married under the care of Olympia Meeting in 1994.

In 1996, Glen was very happy to meet his birth mother, Laurie Gibbs Tillman, and several siblings. One of the great joys of his life was traveling to Marrowstone Island in Puget Sound to spend time with family.

Taking a break from gardening, for ten years Glen was employed by the Olympia School District, working with students having special needs and helping young adults to transition after high school. Glen also worked for the Nature Conservancy restoring native Puget prairies, and he led nature walks for Friends of Grass Lake.

Glen was a member of Olympia Meeting for 30 years. He served as meeting co-clerk as well as arrangements co-clerk for the annual sessions of North Pacific Yearly Meeting. Glen was the go-to person when there were maintenance issues at the meetinghouse. He had strong opinions and convictions, and was not shy about sharing them with clarity and firmness. He often helped the meeting come to unity. Glen was usually the last to leave every Sunday, ensuring that all dishes were washed and doors locked. He brought grape vines, holly, and other plants to the annual Crafts Night in December and taught Friends to make wreaths. Glen joyfully assisted Friends with gardening chores and garden design.

Glen loved to sing. He brought his rich baritone voice to the Seattle Balkan Men’s Choir, Olympia Sacred Harp group, and several additional community choirs. He was a regular at Olympia Song Circle, and was never happier than when bellowing sea shanties. At campouts he led Friends in songs by the campfire, teaching rounds and encouraging reluctant singers.

In his later years, Glen focused on work as a naturalist and nature educator. He was active in the South Sound Fruit Society and the Olympia Beekeepers Association, where he passed on his knowledge and skills.

Glen is survived by his wife, Janet Partlow; his birth mother, Laurie Tillman; two sisters, Laurel Tepper and Jamie Tillman Maciejewski; three brothers, Ryan, Scott, and Bruce Tillman; many Partlow in-laws; and several nephews and one niece.