Andrew James Bucksbarg

April 24th, 1968 - August 15th, 2018

Andrew's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Andrew here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

Andrew changed my life from the moment I met him. We became fast friends and remained so for many years. I was young when we met and he taught me that there was more to life than I thought I deserved. I learned a lot from my dear friend and will always love and remember him. I would not be who or where I am if it wasn’t for Andrew Bucksbarg. I’m so glad to have known him. Thank you for everything Andrew, I’ll miss you always.

Ernesto Lopez

December 1st, 2018 at 12:00am

A Remembrance Sent to The Bucksbarg Family. August 30, 2018 Transition means change, adaption for all. The experience of life....commencing with conception shaped out of love between two souls, to being rocked in the cradle and safety ensured, to the blur of time passing and the search for one’s meaning, to the departure from our earthly vessels... all of this does not climax into a terminus, rather this cycle represents new beginnings and rebirth. Sudden loss quickly ushers in renewal for those of us that remain and a new state of being for those that have departed. This is where we are today...we are assembled by grief but reflect in joy to celebrate the life of Andrew James Bucksbarg. Simple written words cannot realistically describe or summarize what Andrew was. Andrew lived a life filled with passion, passion for others and, sometimes, more than for himself! His passion to help this world and to help each of us assembled here today was nearly limitless. We all must create and give the type of passion that Andrew give during his life and go forward strongly with such edicts..... Andrew loved the beauty of this planet and all of the creatures that make up this blue and green marble. He cared for the purity of the land: our forests, our waters. He enjoyed hiking through spaces not shaped by the hands or plows of man. He had a knack in caring for plants, stewarding of animals, re-purposing objects left as refuse. He was an early adapter of making sure that this planet is left in a better than how it was handled over to us. His sentience of being, humanitarianism, vegetarianism, and love for all always shined and radiated through.....Andrew was family to us all. He was a son to his parents, a brother to his siblings and many here, an uncle, a cousin. We now all go on in life missing such sentience, understanding, and caring..... Andrew influenced many of us here. He also sought out, was inspired , and challenged by like minds. Andrew continually explored and desired knowledge. Knowledge to help create, knowledge to explore, and knowledge to bring a sense of whole and being into his and all of our lives. Andrew represented the genius of mantic means. He was an artist, builder, re-purposer, musician, and composer. His works possess his soul or essence. His pieces hang on the walls of our homes, are found on our coffee tables, are used as pieces of furniture, we wear them, we make random noises with them, or are accessed through a computer. Andrew’s genius of the mantic arts lives with us as we cherish his pieces of essence created for us... Andrew, as we all cannot forget, was a practical joker. He had quirky sense of humor. He would play gags on you and tests the limits of madness. He would make up crazy and indescribable words and sounds. He loved life each and every day, he used laughter and jokes to brighten our world. Now it is incumbent upon us that we must restart and rekindle this type of cajoling, laughter, and joy that has recently left, all without him..... But in the end, all that can be said, or that I can express through my grief while thinking of his passing and having moments of joy sporadically resurface while reflecting on being a part of his experience, so long provocateur, influencer, humanitarian, joker....... until we meet again. I know that you are hiking the limitless expansion of this universe. I am assured the you are making music, creating art, and preparing excellent food...... Adieu my friend, my brother....as a piece of me has left with you on your departure. #AndrewBucksbarg #noizician #N_Drew #organiccode

CHA MEYER

September 2nd, 2018 at 12:00am

Andrew was my degree committee chair when I was in IU Bloomington’s master’s program. When I worked on my projects, he encouraged me to creatively think about many different aspects, and supported me by finding resources and connections. To me, he was a talented digital artist, an inspiring mentor, and a sincere friend. I feel fortunate that I got to work with him. It saddens to me hear of Andrew’s passing. My condolences to Andrew’s family and may Andrew rest in peace.

Jack Chang

August 31st, 2018 at 12:00am

My heart is broken to hear of Andrew Bucksbarg passing. Fate or coincidence I was driving past his Bloomington home when I heard the news. I needed to stop to catch my breath and Andrew’s driveway happened to be that place. I did not comprehend at the time I was in Andrew’s driveway. All I remember is I needed to stop. This is the same house that he and I looked at together for the first time. The same house my husband Kelly helped broker when Kelly sold real estate. The trees that are so tall now that shade the house that block the sounds of the traffic were tiny little saplings that he and I purchased and planted together. Andrew was always out for a bargain and he never paid full price for anything including those trees. Today I am going to tie a yellow ribbon around one of Andrews’s tree in memory of him. It’s amazing how many forgotten memories sneak back into our conscience at times like this. Andrew and I had so many firsts together. So many laughs and too many cries and a few fights and many adventures which included late night runs to Kroger to buy his favorite treat, birthday cake. He loved birthday cakes. Every day was a party with him, so we would celebrate with birthday cakes, no matter what and then of course he would complain it was making him fat as he was stuffing one more fork full in his mouth laughing as only he could. Over these 30 years we occasionally lost track of one another, however, we would manage to pick up where we last left off. He and I would laugh and share memories and of course gossip about people we knew. It would not be one of our conversations if he and I did not get into an argument. He was so stubborn but I know he would say the same about me. I’ll miss you my friend. You took a slice of my heart with you to heaven. I image you are eating birthday cake now and when I close my eyes I will hear your high pitched laugh and I can still see you giving me that famous side eye and then I hear you say, “Frankie, really?” Then rolling your eyes at me and we would both burst out laughing. Good bye my dear friend! I’ll wait outside and listen for the leaves to rustle in the wind and when they do I will know it’s you singing back at me. My deepest condolences to all who that loved Andrew.

Frankie Presslaff

August 31st, 2018 at 12:00am

I grew up with Andy through the Three Oaks School District. We were classmates from kndergarten through 12th grade. We were close most of those years. I remember going to his house in elementary school. There raised chickens, which were kept behind an electric fence. Andy and I would shock ourselves on that darn fence. Andy wanted to change the spelling of his name to "Andi." There are so many wonderful memories of Andy. I always hoped I would see him again. He was a big part of my childhood. I'm so sorry he gone. Andy provided me a great and special friendship I will never forget. He was a wonderful person. My heart goes out to his family: Gerald and Judith, John, Susan. Lynette, Matthew, Jenny. Megan and Jody. He will be greatly missed

Jennifer Portinga

August 31st, 2018 at 12:00am

I remember Andrew as an inspirational colleague who always challenged me to pursue ideas a few steps further into the unknown. His Perform.Media conference in 2006 offered an opportunity for students, faculty, and visiting artists to combine game design, art, and music in a gallery setting. Andrew’s fascination with unconventional uses of ordinary technology helped many of our MS students find a niche in academia and the industry. You will be missed, n_drew.

Norbert Herber

August 30th, 2018 at 12:00am

Andrew was a dear, dear friend for nearly 20 years. He inspired me to a better person. His example taught me to have integrity as an artist. His work allowed me to hear beauty in the sound of static and to experience the wonder of a flashing LED light. The art he created and the furniture he collected fills my home. His generosity, quirky laugh, kindness and compassion fill my heart. I have been overwhelmed with grief at his loss and beyond grateful for the many memories of time spent together that I have of him. I send much peace and love to all of you. Know that Andrew was loved by so many and that he touched so very many lives.