Myth of Arrival

… accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu atque in perpetuum ave atque vale.

"… accept now this sad brotherly offering, wet with tears, and forever and ever hail and farewell." translated by Sedulia.

I'm devastated over the news of the murder of Robert Busby. Tonight (Wed. Feb. 28th, from dusk on), there will be a candlelight vigil outside his Creole Gallery in downtown Lansing's Old Town for all who knew Robert and called him our friend, teacher and inspiration.

To say that Robert is the art community of Lansing is not praise, it is simply the truth. Through his Creole he not only brought in talented musical acts and art from around the world at a time when Lansing's local art scene was dubious at best but also provided a place for our small poetry readings to happen month after month for years. He helped rejuvenate Old Town back when it was nothing more than boarded up wrecks and a strip bar.

How do you write praise for a man who is the back bone of your community? And he has been murdered. And I am at a loss for words.

Homicide stuns Old Town
Creole Gallery owner found dead; police search for man's truck

By Kevin Grasha and Tom Lambert, Lansing State Journal.

Family members and police confirmed late Tuesday that the body found earlier in the day at the Creole Gallery was that of prominent Old Town businessman Robert Busby.

At about 1 p.m. Tuesday, police went to Busby's gallery at 1218 Turner St. - he had been reported missing Monday - and discovered a body in the building, which he owned.

About seven hours later, family members arriving at the gallery tried to console one another shortly after learning what they had feared for most of the day was true.

"It's just terrible," said Mike Busby, one of Robert Busby's brothers, outside the gallery Tuesday night.

Lansing police, who are investigating the death as a homicide, are searching for a pickup registered to Busby: a silver, 1999 Chevrolet Silverado with a Michigan license plate 3897DF. Police are asking anyone who sees the truck not to approach it, but instead to call 911.

"Somebody has that truck," Lansing police Lt. Bruce Ferguson said. "Once we can find that truck, we will get some answers."

An autopsy is expected to take place this morning, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Dean Sienko said Tuesday night.

Busby, a driving force behind revitalization in Old Town, lived in an apartment above the gallery, a well-known venue for visual art, poetry, theater and live music. The news of his body's discovery left the Old Town community stunned.

"It's a great loss for the community," said City Council President Harold Leeman, who went to Old Town on Tuesday afternoon to talk to grieving business owners.

"Most people are in shock. You always see him at different events; you just take for granted you are going to see him again."

'Godfather' of Old Town

Busby has been a fixture in the neighborhood for three decades. People who knew him referred to him as either the "godfather" or "mayor" of Old Town.

"He was such a dear person with such a big heart," said Debbie Preuss of Preuss Pets in Old Town, as tears filled her eyes at the thought of losing a friend.

"He was somebody who embraced the community. He was one of a kind."

In 1978, when Turner Street was dominated by boarded up buildings and a notorious bar, Busby was part of a group of people who opened the neighborhood's first art gallery, said Roxanne Frith, who has known Busby for decades.

Frith called Busby a "supporter of not only the arts but the collective community of North Lansing, long before it became Old Town."

His passion remembered

Jamie Schriner-Hooper of the Old Town Commercial Association said Busby's passion has been transforming what was once a run-down neighborhood into a vital arts and entertainment area.

"We all feel as though we have lost our dearest friend," Schriner-Hooper said in a statement.

Mayor Virg Bernero added in a statement issued Tuesday night: "Robert was an extraordinary community leader, a talented artist and a trailblazing entrepreneur who led the rebirth of Lansing's original downtown."

This song, The Parting Glass, has been close to my heart for all my life. I will sing it tonight at the candlelight vigil for you Robert.

Of all the money that e'er I spent
I've spent it in good company
and all the harm that ever I did
alas it was to none but me
and all I've done for want of wit
to memory now I can't recall
so fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all.

Oh, all the comrades that e'er I had
they're sorry for my going away
and all the sweethearts that e'er I had
they'd wish me one more day to stay
but since it falls unto my lot
that I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and softly call
good night and joy be with you all.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 at 11:37 am and is filed under passings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.