Buxbaum, Otto Richard (1895-1971)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1972 Jan 23 p. 31

Birth date: 1895 Apr 08

text of obituary:

OTTO RICHARD BUXBAUM SR.

The fourth child of ten born to Prof. and Mrs. Frederick Bux>baum, Otto R'i'chard Buxbaum was born on April 8, 1895 in Melk, Lower Austr'i'a. He was raised and educated ,in the >Homan Catholic monastery where hlis father taught. He participated in World War 1 and subsequently spent six years as a prisoner of war in Siberia. With the help of missionary Otto Szegedi, from whom he was leaming the Russ'ianlanguage with the use of a New Tes1ament, he was converted to Christ. In Siberia he met his ,future wife, Luise Friesen, whom he married ·in 1920. T'hey returned to Austria where he attended the AHianz Bible School in Kaerntenfor three years . He then served as a minister o·f the Wmd for ten years, assisting several Baptist church es in East Prussia. After serv,ing as translator in the Russian langua'ge during World War 2, he was united a,gain with his fami'ly in Austria and be'gan to work as registrar in Melk. Duping the 13 y ea rs he worked in this office, he and his wife were instrumenta'i III inrtlatmg Sunday school work among children, he continued to serve ,in many churches as a prea cher, and both assisted in MOC relief work in Europe. In 1953 he was ordained 'as a Mennonite minister and served the various churches in the area of Vienna. They became active members of the Mennonite Brethren church in Austria. In 1958 they emigrated with th e'ir children to Canada, joining ,their son Isbrandt at Kitchener. Later they moved to Elliott Larke, London and finally to Komoka. Here he pioneered the establishment o'f the Komoka Nursing Homes. Last year he and his wife were privileged to enjoy their ,golden wedding anniversary . Last of all, he expressed his joy in helping initiate the gathering of a Mennonite Brethren fellowship in the greater London area . He passed away on December 15. He is survived by his wi·fe, five s'ons and ,four daughters, all married; 29 grandchi'ldren and three great grandchildren. He was predeceased by one daughter. His Hfe was f.illed with much labour for the Lord, mixed with some disappo·intments, but rich with the blessings o'f God. To the last he was stedfast in faithin his Saviour, to whom belongs the ultimate victory. Rev. Hudy Janzen, assisted by Rev. D. Dakin, ministered at the funeral.