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Jean-Bernard Bucky, 86

February 13, 2024

Obituary for Jean-Bernard Bucky, 1937-2024



Jean-Bernard (Bernie) Bucky, William Dwight Whitney Professor of Theatre, Emeritus at Williams College in Williamstown, MA, died on February 13 as a result of complications from an automobile accident and subsequent fall. He was 86.



Bernie was born in Paris in 1937, to Gerhard and Eva (Huldschiner) Bucky. In 1939 his family, fleeing the oncoming Nazis, emigrated to the U.S. and settled in New York, where he was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1953.



As a child Bernie attended P.S. 187 before going on to Stuyvesant High School. He remained a proud alumnus of both throughout his life (and would often sing both school songs for his children at bedtime). Bernie earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Queens College of the City of New York, followed by an M.S. in the same discipline from New York University. He then joined the Air Force, serving from 1961 to 1970 as a senior mathematician in the Research and Technology Division, first on active duty and then as a reservist, attaining the rank of captain. While stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base he became involved with the theater program at nearby Antioch College, which led to a major career change when he decided to pursue an MFA in Stage Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.



In 1966 Bernie joined the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of California, Berkeley, where he taught until 1974 while also directing plays at the Berkeley Repertory Theater. His repertoire there covered virtually the entire history of the stage, from Euripides to Shakespeare to Shaw; Noel Coward to Brendan Behan to Brecht and Weill; Odets and O’Neill to Pinter and Bellow. This tremendous range became a hallmark of Bernie’s style and his teaching legacy.



Bernie came to Williams in 1974 as associate professor of drama and director of the Adams Memorial Theatre. From his arrival until 1985 he chaired the theater department; earned promotion to full professor and then the Whitney Professorship; led a revision of the theater curriculum; and guided the establishment of a new major in theater.



Bernie and then-Provost Cappy Hill ’76 co-chaired the building committee for the ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance. When the Center opened in 2005 he directed the first work in the new space, a collection of Samuel Beckett’s one-act plays.



President Emeritus Frank Oakley recalls, “Having rejuvenated the theater program and being elected by his colleagues to the Committee on Appointments and Promotions, Bernie distinguished himself as leader first of the Williams-Exeter Programme at Oxford and then of the Oakley Center for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Across the years he was a fine colleague and, to many of us, a loyal and warmhearted friend.”



His productions at Williams, at least one play every semester for several decades, spanned the history of the stage. Over these years he also directed works for the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the San Francisco Opera, the Michigan Opera Theatre, the Williamstown Theatre Festival, and StageWest in Springfield, MA. He mentored many Williams students as they pursued careers in theater, a commitment he sustained to the end of his life.



Bernie is survived by his wife Karen (Williamstown, MA) and by his six children, Gillian Kahtan (Brooklyn, NY), Jason Bucky (San Francisco, CA), Adam Bucky (Shanghai, China), Aaron Bucky (Osaka, Japan), Susannah Bucky (Brooklyn, NY), and Miranda Bucky (Oakland, CA); as well as five grandchildren: Benjamin and Rachel and Avi Kahtan, and Elio and Desmond Bucky.



For anyone wishing to make donations in his name, Bernie’s chosen charities were Doctors Without Borders, Planned Parenthood, the Equal Justice Initiative, EarthJustice and local food banks.



A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 22nd at 2:30 p.m. in the ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance at Williams College. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.




Recollections & Sympathy For the Family
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Bernie cast me in my first role at U.C. Berkeley in 'The Bacchae'. Bernie and David Wood collaborated on this wonderful production, I was a dancer, and it was this experience that influenced me to pursue a decades long interest in combining movement and theatre both in choreography and in teaching.
In the seventies I worked with Bernie at Williams College where he asked me to choreograph his "Guys and Dolls'. He was always encouraging, kind, and had that quality that made you feel special in his eyes. He was a great teacher, mentor and friend to me. He is missed.
from: Laurie Brown (Boyd)on: 03-22-2024

to Karen and the whole family, my memories of Bernie are so alive - of a pal who was always vital, cheerful and cheering. I'm so sorry for such a grave loss. It's hard to imagine this community without Bernie's goodness, kindness AND humor lighting it up. Please know we're thinking of you and here to help celebrate the life of such a MENSCH!
from: Eva Grudinon: 03-14-2024

I knew Bernie as a child growing up in Berkeley (with my parents in the Dance/Dramatic Art Dept at the same time he was). I remember him as the kindest of all professors in the department -- and my mother does as well. He was warm, friendly, and brilliant -- such a wonderful person. My whole family remembers him so fondly. I am sorry for your loss -- he was such a bright light.
from: on: 03-12-2024

My condolences to Bernie's family and friends. Like so many others I was his student at UCB and a very lucky actor to have performed at The Berkeley Rep in four plays directed by him - Behan, Shaw, Moliere, Coward - each time stretching the limits of where we thought we could go. Bernie also served on its Board. Because of Bernie's influence his plays were even reviewed in The Forward! I feel truly blessed to have known him. Bernie's legacy lives on.
from: Karen Ingenthronon: 03-12-2024

I am so sorry to hear of Bernie's passing. I was honored to be his student and in plays he directed at UC Berkeley. He was ever in my thoughts, guiding my work, during the thirty later years as I taught acting and directed there. Now my students are teaching there. His legacy lives on at UCB, and I will always treasure his memory.
from: Lura Dolason: 03-12-2024

Bernie will be missed by so many of his former graduate and undergraduate students at U.C.Berkeley, where was such an outstanding stage director, teacher, and champion of those of us who knew him. We send his family and loved ones our love and heartfelt condolences. Bernie was a true Mensch!
from: Stu McDowellon: 03-12-2024

My husband, Fred, and I loved walking dogs with him at Colefield years ago. He always had interesting stories and a smile.
from: Kathleen George on: 03-05-2024

Tamaryn and I are so sorry to hear about Bernie. We will miss his wave and smile across the yards. Our thoughts are with you, Karen, and the entire family.
from: David Woodson: 03-04-2024

Sorry for your loss!!sandy blake
from: on: 03-03-2024

I am so very sorry, Karen.
from: Maria Gamarion: 03-02-2024

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