John Austin Butsch, 59, Indianapolis, died on Thursday, April 7, 2011. He was the victim of a vicious crime committed by an intruder in his Woodruff Place home.
John was born in Indianapolis to Richard and Gloria Tomlinson Butsch on August 18, 1951. A child prodigy, John taught himself to play the family piano at age four; he didn't receive his first official piano lesson until age ten. Although he had many interests and excelled in many subjects during his youth, it was music that would become his life.
Throughout elementary and high school, John played the piano for many functions at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, Shortridge High School, the Jewish Community Center, The Propylaeum, Scottish Rite Cathedral, and Footlite Musicals. He played in a band called Gentlemen of the First Class.
John attended IPS 60, IPS 70 and Shortridge High School. During his public school education, he studied advanced classical piano with James Kantarze. In his junior year at Shortridge, John won a scholarship to the Aspen Summer Music Festival, where he studied with famed Russian American pianist Madame Rhosina Lhévinne, then a faculty member at the Juilliard School of Music. In his senior year of high school, he was awarded a full, four-year Corbett Scholarship to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. John made his debut with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at the age of 17. At CCM, he studied with the brilliant British pianist John Bigg and concert pianist Jeanne Kirstlin.
Following his training at CCM, John moved to California, residing in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. He continued studies at Antioch College West. He worked in a wide variety of musical venues in California, including the San Diego Symphony. John composed and recorded original music for Time-Warner and ABC TV and shared the stage with Burt Bacharach, Tony Bennett, the Pointer Sisters and Tina Turner. From that point on, he devoted most of his attention to popular music and became a prolific songwriter, composing more than 400 original songs over the years. He was an entertainer on the Holland America Cruise Line, sailing on 4 oceans to 30 countries.
In 1994, John returned to his hometown and quickly reestablished himself in local performing arts circles. He was in productions at Raleigh's Dinner Theatre, Theatre On The Square, Murat Centre, Indiana Historical Society, Scottish Rite Cathedral, Footlite Musicals, Lebanon Educational Foundation and Bluebird Cafe. For 7 years, he was the Music Director at the American Cabaret Theatre in the Athenaeum.
Most recently, he was associated with BOBDIREX, an independent local production company that has produced a number of shows at the Athenaeum Theatre since ACT left that location. John had begun work on "Camp Rock: The Musical," just days before his untimely demise.
John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank John Butsch, Jr., and Edith Kilbourne Butsch; and Stuart Austin Tomlinson and Catharine Harraman Tomlinson; his father, Richard V. Butsch; and his sisters Catharine Butsch Newland and Gloria Butsch Everhart.
He is survived by his mother Gloria Tomlinson Butsch Bulger; sisters Sharon Butsch Freeland (Michael) and Kristin Butsch; stepbrother John L. Bulger, Jr. (Ruth), all of Indianapolis; brother G. Edward Butsch (Elizabeth) of Santa Ana, California; and sister Maria Butsch Valentine (Camille Goode) of Los Angeles, California. Other survivors include aunts Bettie Butsch Dell of Indianapolis and Iola Tomlinson Lanaman (Frank) of Columbus, Ohio; nieces Ajna Austin of Paris, France; Kristin Butsch of Everett, Washington; and Catherine Butsch Hurtado of Tustin, California; nephews Adam Butsch and Nathan Butsch of Santa Ana, California; and Clayton Butsch of Everett, Washington; numerous cousins and other extended family members; and a large circle of friends. John is much loved and will be sorely missed by all who had the honoro of knowing this amazing human being.
A Memorial Celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Athenaeum Theatre, 401 E. Michigan St. Burial services will be private.
John was born in Indianapolis to Richard and Gloria Tomlinson Butsch on August 18, 1951. A child prodigy, John taught himself to play the family piano at age four; he didn't receive his first official piano lesson until age ten. Although he had many interests and excelled in many subjects during his youth, it was music that would become his life.
Throughout elementary and high school, John played the piano for many functions at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, Shortridge High School, the Jewish Community Center, The Propylaeum, Scottish Rite Cathedral, and Footlite Musicals. He played in a band called Gentlemen of the First Class.
John attended IPS 60, IPS 70 and Shortridge High School. During his public school education, he studied advanced classical piano with James Kantarze. In his junior year at Shortridge, John won a scholarship to the Aspen Summer Music Festival, where he studied with famed Russian American pianist Madame Rhosina Lhévinne, then a faculty member at the Juilliard School of Music. In his senior year of high school, he was awarded a full, four-year Corbett Scholarship to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. John made his debut with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at the age of 17. At CCM, he studied with the brilliant British pianist John Bigg and concert pianist Jeanne Kirstlin.
Following his training at CCM, John moved to California, residing in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. He continued studies at Antioch College West. He worked in a wide variety of musical venues in California, including the San Diego Symphony. John composed and recorded original music for Time-Warner and ABC TV and shared the stage with Burt Bacharach, Tony Bennett, the Pointer Sisters and Tina Turner. From that point on, he devoted most of his attention to popular music and became a prolific songwriter, composing more than 400 original songs over the years. He was an entertainer on the Holland America Cruise Line, sailing on 4 oceans to 30 countries.
In 1994, John returned to his hometown and quickly reestablished himself in local performing arts circles. He was in productions at Raleigh's Dinner Theatre, Theatre On The Square, Murat Centre, Indiana Historical Society, Scottish Rite Cathedral, Footlite Musicals, Lebanon Educational Foundation and Bluebird Cafe. For 7 years, he was the Music Director at the American Cabaret Theatre in the Athenaeum.
Most recently, he was associated with BOBDIREX, an independent local production company that has produced a number of shows at the Athenaeum Theatre since ACT left that location. John had begun work on "Camp Rock: The Musical," just days before his untimely demise.
John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank John Butsch, Jr., and Edith Kilbourne Butsch; and Stuart Austin Tomlinson and Catharine Harraman Tomlinson; his father, Richard V. Butsch; and his sisters Catharine Butsch Newland and Gloria Butsch Everhart.
He is survived by his mother Gloria Tomlinson Butsch Bulger; sisters Sharon Butsch Freeland (Michael) and Kristin Butsch; stepbrother John L. Bulger, Jr. (Ruth), all of Indianapolis; brother G. Edward Butsch (Elizabeth) of Santa Ana, California; and sister Maria Butsch Valentine (Camille Goode) of Los Angeles, California. Other survivors include aunts Bettie Butsch Dell of Indianapolis and Iola Tomlinson Lanaman (Frank) of Columbus, Ohio; nieces Ajna Austin of Paris, France; Kristin Butsch of Everett, Washington; and Catherine Butsch Hurtado of Tustin, California; nephews Adam Butsch and Nathan Butsch of Santa Ana, California; and Clayton Butsch of Everett, Washington; numerous cousins and other extended family members; and a large circle of friends. John is much loved and will be sorely missed by all who had the honoro of knowing this amazing human being.
A Memorial Celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Athenaeum Theatre, 401 E. Michigan St. Burial services will be private.
John Austin Butsch, 59, Indianapolis, died on Thursday, April 7, 2011. He was the victim of a vicious crime committed by an intruder in his Woodruff Place home.
John was born in Indianapolis to Richard and Gloria Tomlinson Butsch on August 18, 1951. A child prodigy, John taught himself to play the family piano at age four; he didn't receive his first official piano lesson until age ten. Although he had many interests and excelled in many subjects during his youth, it was music that would become his life.
Throughout elementary and high school, John played the piano for many functions at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, Shortridge High School, the Jewish Community Center, The Propylaeum, Scottish Rite Cathedral, and Footlite Musicals. He played in a band called Gentlemen of the First Class.
John attended IPS 60, IPS 70 and Shortridge High School. During his public school education, he studied advanced classical piano with James Kantarze. In his junior year at Shortridge, John won a scholarship to the Aspen Summer Music Festival, where he studied with famed Russian American pianist Madame Rhosina Lhévinne, then a faculty member at the Juilliard School of Music. In his senior year of high school, he was awarded a full, four-year Corbett Scholarship to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. John made his debut with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at the age of 17. At CCM, he studied with the brilliant British pianist John Bigg and concert pianist Jeanne Kirstlin.
Following his training at CCM, John moved to California, residing in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. He continued studies at Antioch College West. He worked in a wide variety of musical venues in California, including the San Diego Symphony. John composed and recorded original music for Time-Warner and ABC TV and shared the stage with Burt Bacharach, Tony Bennett, the Pointer Sisters and Tina Turner. From that point on, he devoted most of his attention to popular music and became a prolific songwriter, composing more than 400 original songs over the years. He was an entertainer on the Holland America Cruise Line, sailing on 4 oceans to 30 countries.
In 1994, John returned to his hometown and quickly reestablished himself in local performing arts circles. He was in productions at Raleigh's Dinner Theatre, Theatre On The Square, Murat Centre, Indiana Historical Society, Scottish Rite Cathedral, Footlite Musicals, Lebanon Educational Foundation and Bluebird Cafe. For 7 years, he was the Music Director at the American Cabaret Theatre in the Athenaeum.
Most recently, he was associated with BOBDIREX, an independent local production company that has produced a number of shows at the Athenaeum Theatre since ACT left that location. John had begun work on "Camp Rock: The Musical," just days before his untimely demise.
John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank John Butsch, Jr., and Edith Kilbourne Butsch; and Stuart Austin Tomlinson and Catharine Harraman Tomlinson; his father, Richard V. Butsch; and his sisters Catharine Butsch Newland and Gloria Butsch Everhart.
He is survived by his mother Gloria Tomlinson Butsch Bulger; sisters Sharon Butsch Freeland (Michael) and Kristin Butsch; stepbrother John L. Bulger, Jr. (Ruth), all of Indianapolis; brother G. Edward Butsch (Elizabeth) of Santa Ana, California; and sister Maria Butsch Valentine (Camille Goode) of Los Angeles, California. Other survivors include aunts Bettie Butsch Dell of Indianapolis and Iola Tomlinson Lanaman (Frank) of Columbus, Ohio; nieces Ajna Austin of Paris, France; Kristin Butsch of Everett, Washington; and Catherine Butsch Hurtado of Tustin, California; nephews Adam Butsch and Nathan Butsch of Santa Ana, California; and Clayton Butsch of Everett, Washington; numerous cousins and other extended family members; and a large circle of friends. John is much loved and will be sorely missed by all who had the honoro of knowing this amazing human being.
A Memorial Celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Athenaeum Theatre, 401 E. Michigan St. Burial services will be private.
John was born in Indianapolis to Richard and Gloria Tomlinson Butsch on August 18, 1951. A child prodigy, John taught himself to play the family piano at age four; he didn't receive his first official piano lesson until age ten. Although he had many interests and excelled in many subjects during his youth, it was music that would become his life.
Throughout elementary and high school, John played the piano for many functions at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, Shortridge High School, the Jewish Community Center, The Propylaeum, Scottish Rite Cathedral, and Footlite Musicals. He played in a band called Gentlemen of the First Class.
John attended IPS 60, IPS 70 and Shortridge High School. During his public school education, he studied advanced classical piano with James Kantarze. In his junior year at Shortridge, John won a scholarship to the Aspen Summer Music Festival, where he studied with famed Russian American pianist Madame Rhosina Lhévinne, then a faculty member at the Juilliard School of Music. In his senior year of high school, he was awarded a full, four-year Corbett Scholarship to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. John made his debut with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at the age of 17. At CCM, he studied with the brilliant British pianist John Bigg and concert pianist Jeanne Kirstlin.
Following his training at CCM, John moved to California, residing in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. He continued studies at Antioch College West. He worked in a wide variety of musical venues in California, including the San Diego Symphony. John composed and recorded original music for Time-Warner and ABC TV and shared the stage with Burt Bacharach, Tony Bennett, the Pointer Sisters and Tina Turner. From that point on, he devoted most of his attention to popular music and became a prolific songwriter, composing more than 400 original songs over the years. He was an entertainer on the Holland America Cruise Line, sailing on 4 oceans to 30 countries.
In 1994, John returned to his hometown and quickly reestablished himself in local performing arts circles. He was in productions at Raleigh's Dinner Theatre, Theatre On The Square, Murat Centre, Indiana Historical Society, Scottish Rite Cathedral, Footlite Musicals, Lebanon Educational Foundation and Bluebird Cafe. For 7 years, he was the Music Director at the American Cabaret Theatre in the Athenaeum.
Most recently, he was associated with BOBDIREX, an independent local production company that has produced a number of shows at the Athenaeum Theatre since ACT left that location. John had begun work on "Camp Rock: The Musical," just days before his untimely demise.
John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank John Butsch, Jr., and Edith Kilbourne Butsch; and Stuart Austin Tomlinson and Catharine Harraman Tomlinson; his father, Richard V. Butsch; and his sisters Catharine Butsch Newland and Gloria Butsch Everhart.
He is survived by his mother Gloria Tomlinson Butsch Bulger; sisters Sharon Butsch Freeland (Michael) and Kristin Butsch; stepbrother John L. Bulger, Jr. (Ruth), all of Indianapolis; brother G. Edward Butsch (Elizabeth) of Santa Ana, California; and sister Maria Butsch Valentine (Camille Goode) of Los Angeles, California. Other survivors include aunts Bettie Butsch Dell of Indianapolis and Iola Tomlinson Lanaman (Frank) of Columbus, Ohio; nieces Ajna Austin of Paris, France; Kristin Butsch of Everett, Washington; and Catherine Butsch Hurtado of Tustin, California; nephews Adam Butsch and Nathan Butsch of Santa Ana, California; and Clayton Butsch of Everett, Washington; numerous cousins and other extended family members; and a large circle of friends. John is much loved and will be sorely missed by all who had the honoro of knowing this amazing human being.
A Memorial Celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Athenaeum Theatre, 401 E. Michigan St. Burial services will be private.
Gravesite Details
Services entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
