FAMILIAR FACES 7th Edition (Part 2)



^{Dear DWS Alumni! Welcome to this special edition of Familiar Faces. In this three part series, we will be featuring several pivotal school leaders. Each of these extraordinary individuals were instrumental in establishing Detroit Waldorf School.} 

Photo caption:Theo with Guy Thompson and William Richardson (writing at the desk) in the first class he took through 8th grade.

Remembering Theo Buergin

Founding Teacher, 1920-2010

Written by Eric Winter

Theo Buergin was a man of absolute integrity in his personal life and in his professional life. Whatever he turned his hand to had to be done right. It was this philosophy of life that made Theo Buergin the man that he was. His commitment to what he believed in was absolute.

When it came to Waldorf education, he knew that this was not just a method. It was a philosophy of education that had its foundation in the spiritual depths of Anthroposophy and the teachings of Rudolf Steiner. Recognizing that to properly understand Waldorf education, you had to understand Anthroposophy, busy as he was as a founding member of the Detroit Waldorf School, he made the time to conduct study sessions in his home, to which he would invite all those with an interest in Waldorf education.

He, along with other early leaders of the school, realized that developing Waldorf teachers to take on succeeding classes of students was essential. To that end, the Waldorf Institute of Mercy College of Detroit was formed. The success of the Institute would depend on having suitable instructors, and Theo recognized that he had an important role to play as a key instructor. To build the reputation of the Waldorf Institute and of the Detroit Waldorf School, he studied for and secured his Master’s degree in Education from Wayne State University.

This was Theo --- doing whatever was necessary, and at whatever cost, to realize the vision of a respected school in the City of Detroit. His success as a teacher and his devotion to the children is shown by the fact that the children would weep when their parents told them they were too sick to go to school! In what non-Waldorf schools was that ever heard of? Not surprising for a man from Switzerland, when it came to the financial management of the school, he was totally sound. Despite the myriad challenges of getting a school off the ground, year after year, the school either broke even or generated a modest surplus, thus strengthening its financial base.

It was Plato’s view that the ideal form of government was one run by guardians, later described as “Philosopher Kings”. These would be highly developed individuals who, out of deep wisdom and knowledge, would rule selflessly in the interests of their subjects. The Detroit Waldorf School was blessed in that in its earliest years Theo was its Philosopher King and it thrived under his leadership.

Of course, Waldorf schools are not supposed to function that way, and the prevailing wisdom in Waldorf education is that a College of Teachers should be the leadership entity; and several years into the school’s history, as it grew and the staff size increased, the pressure to create a College of Teachers became irresistible, and the leadership of the school transitioned from the ”Philosopher King” to the College of Teachers. Although Theo acquiesced in this change, I never felt that Theo felt quite as comfortable having the school run by a collective leadership as when he was the undisputed leader.

Leadership issues did not, however, intrude on his teaching in the classroom. He took his first class through to the eighth grade, and the enthusiasm of these students in that first class for the rest of their lives is eloquent testimony to Theo Buergin as a teacher, as a mentor and as the wonderful human being who was their beloved teacher for those eight years.

Ernest Hemingway observed that every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground, and the last time someone speaks his name. By that standard Theo will be with us for a very long time to come.

Eric Winter

Former Treasurer, long-term tenure: 30 plus years, starting 1970

Former President Waldorf School Association of Michigan, short-term tenure: approximately five years, early 2000s.

Photo caption (above):

With Marianne at Bridalwreath, their vacation home near Kalamazoo, in 1973. The white, scented flowers on Bridalwreath bushes are often used in wedding bouquets and Marianne loved them. There were many on the property which is how they chose the name.

Teacher Reflections

I was new to the Waldorf world and Theo was for me the model of a human being steeped in and responsible to Anthroposophy. I looked up to him then and, upon reflection, see no reason to change my mind now, 40+ years later. - Paul Gierlach

We were discussing whether or not we should test the students in the Waldorf School at the end of a unit. Some thought it might be a "violation" of the Steiner philosophy, that it was contrived, or not organic to the curriculum. Theo just shook his head, and said "Well, we have to know if we have taught them anything, yes?" Practical, as always. - Alan MacNair

Theo was a great speaker on stage, introducing Waldorf Education with profound depth and humorous liveliness. He visited my English class a few times, pointing out that content was good but not all students were engaged-- "Never stop striving!". - Frank Hall

A memory about Theo from August 1972: At the behest of the school secretary, Theo rushed across the school playground in his ever present proper suit to meet the new French teacher. She was the seventh of seven in a row and he had hired her sight unseen. Imagine his angst when he saw what appeared to be a teenager in a minidress, with long hair and oversized glasses. As I look back, I am full of admiration that he appeared to be unfazed. I am sure he was not, as he discovered that I had no teaching experience to speak of and two classes in education, none of them having to do with teaching languages. With his very kind help I survived my first year of teaching and when I said I would stay at least one more year, he almost did a jig. - Francina Graef

I was very impressed with Marianne and Theo. They had so much charm and character and were fine adventurous pioneers in building the school. Marianne's many talents and Theo's careful love of learning, and quiet wit, were fine models for the teachers and students. I especially loved it when they dressed up as each other one Halloween. Even though they normally were strikingly different in appearance, when they dressed in each other's clothing, it was hard to be sure of the difference. - Ann Bickel

I recall an incident where Theo stole the show...the night the faculty attended a ballgame at Tiger Stadium at the end of the school year. He was so drôle, dressed in a suit and tie, carrying a bat and ball. He cheered when the crowd cheered, all the while asking what had just happened. He made a fun evening the social event of the faculty year and I've never forgotten it though I taught for 30 years more. - Flora-Jane Hartford

What a dapper gentleman! What a sense of humor! What a living example of the highest principles of Waldorf Education. He and Marianne were the heart and soul of the Detroit school and were a big part of the draw for us to Waldorf. My admiration for him grew even more when he realized it was time for him to move on and pass the reins of DWS to others. His legacy endured beyond his tenure. Thank you, Theo. - Frances Altwies

I am grateful to the Buergin team for envisioning the future of this unique Waldorf School and for infusing it with the energy, talent, and inspiration that so characterizes DWS even today and remains the Buergin legacy. - Jerry Altwies

Photo captions:

1) Theo circa 1979.

2,3) Marianne and Theo when they switched lives for Halloween, 1979. Thank you to Benedict Buergin and Flora-Jane Hartford for finding these photos!

4) Theo in 1944. He was a soldier for 3 years during World War II stationed mostly in the French speaking part of Switzerland

5) With students from his last 6th grade class at the 35th anniversary celebration, October 1991.

Left to right: Jennifer Morris, Jason Fisher, Liz (McCutcheon) Sutton, Theo, Sharon Babitch, Claudia Valsi

Thank you to Astrid and Benedict Buergin for sharing these family photos. 

Theo's Story

A special thank you to Beth Krause for providing us with Theo's biography, written in his own words, when Theo was 88 years old. 

Do you know other alums who might like to join this group?

Can we feature you in an upcoming edition? 

Contact: Claudia Valsi, DWS Alumni Outreach Volunteer Coordinator