Werklund School of Education Mourns the Passing of One of Our Own

Eelco Bart Buitenhuis was born in Gouda, Netherlands on September 7, 1954. A teachers’ teacher, Eelco taught almost 30 years as a teacher and learning in schools and universities.  Eelco was an artist, a sculptor, a writer, and a mentor.  He engaged with everyone he met with honesty and trust. 

Politically a leftist, he more fit the role of an anarchist in many ways. It wasn’t what he did that made Eelco the man he was, it was what he saw and felt. 

Eelco was an empath, a healer, a dreamer, and a spiritualist…he believed in the power of humanity, love, and future. 

Eelco and Hanneke were parents of Judith, Ruben, and Eva.   Eelco was in continual wonder at their amazing children becoming adults.  In 2011, he married Werklund Professor Shirley Steinberg in Canada and gained four more children, several spouses, and eight grandchildren.

In 2015 he completed his Ph.D. at the University of Calgary, and dedicated it to his parents. A few months later, he finished his first book, Politics, Pedagogy and Power, dedicating it to Eva, his youngest daughter who died in May of 2015.  Just a week ago, his book was reviewed in the Teachers College Record .

Eelco Buitenhuis was a loved man and a man who loved.  Giving his all to facilitating international congresses, to creating a unique piece of art every year for each participant of UCalgary’s production of The Vagina Monologues, to documenting and researching the Robb Nash Project, and working with the Calgary Syrian Refugee Group, he spent his life watching, and doing for others. 

At the time of his death, he was working at the University of the West of Scotland as a lecturer during Shirley’s sabbatical and completing his second book, a spiritual journey and guidebook in Dutch.

To celebrate the memory of Eelco, please consider donating to:
Syrian Refugees Calgary, attention to Sam Nammoura, 1240B – 16th Avenue N.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2M 0K9.
Canadians can also send Sam an etransfer: Samnamora@hotmail.com
OR, you can donate on paypal: institutecriticalpedagogy@gmail.com
Please note: in Celebration of Eelco Buitenhuis

As much as he travelled the world, his geographic heart was always with his children in his beloved Amersfoort, Netherlands, and with his sister, Tonny, in St Laurent du Pape, France.