“We work in the dark – we do what we can – we give what we have. Our doubt is our passion and our passion is our task. The rest is the madness of art.”
-Henry James-
It is with profound sadness we share that Dennis passed away December 9, 2022, in Victoria BC. Born in Victoria on May 19, 1936, Dennis spent his childhood surrounded by music and a love of exploring the Victoria area on his bike. He was cast as the male lead in his high school musical, The Rose of the Danube, where he met and fell in love with his leading lady, Ruth Sones. After completing the teaching program at Provincial Normal School, Dennis married Ruth and they welcomed their first daughter in 1957. They relocated to Kitimat BC, where he established the music program in the burgeoning school district, working tirelessly as a community builder, advocating for, and sharing his love of music with not only his students but the broader citizenry. Two more daughters followed, and life was dedicated to enriching their home with the sounds of music of all genres. During these busy years he also pursued his Bachelor of Education through University of Victoria and his Masters’ Degree at UBC. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Dennis relocated with his family to Vancouver in 1971, taking on the role of District Principal for the Performing Arts for the Vancouver School Board. It was there that Dennis’ advocacy work for the arts really flourished. He fought for adequate arts funding both in the school district and the province, activity that garnered the nickname of Tupman’s Tough Tactics. Throughout his career and continuing into his retirement, he was a passionate ambassador for and proponent of music education, acting as president for the BC Music Educators Association, the Canadian Music Educators Association and the BC Choral Federation. In 2011 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Victoria, an achievement that sits alongside his many other accolades, including the Governor General’s Award for Lifetime Arts Leadership. In his retirement to Green Lake in the Cariboo, Dennis continued to be recognized as an active community supporter, and was a regular contributor to both the provincial and national arts communities through interviews and published articles. After returning to Victoria in 2021, Dennis enjoyed reconnecting with friends and places from his past. Variously described as a musician, educator, conductor, director, adjudicator, speaker, writer, philosopher, arts advocate, counsellor, humanitarian, environmentalist and family man, he made it his mission to understand and connect with all who crossed his path. To many, he was simply BBD or Poppy – an exemplary yet humble man, fun-loving and silly, one who was truly loved and will be greatly missed.
Dennis was predeceased by his wife Ruth in 2020, and leaves behind to feel his loss, three daughters, Raechel Tupman, Allison (Brad) Neumann and Denise Tupman, his 6 grandchildren, Matthew (Sayde) Neumann, Megan (Ben Pryputniski) Neumann, Andrea Neumann, Hayley (Aaron) Moldenhauer, Alex (Liam Thwaites) Gipps, and Kenny (Tristina) Gipps, and his 8 great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Grady Moldenhauer, Hunter Archibald, Mara and Thea Neumann, Lilly and Michael Gipps, and Poppy Thwaites.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Shaughnessy Heights United Church, 1550 33rd Ave W, Vancouver BC on Saturday, April 1st at 1 pm.
“Row row row your boat, gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily merrily, life is but a dream.”
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
50 Responses
Dennis was the man who hired me and inspired me to become the best music teacher that I possibly could be. I had just returned from Hong Kong where I taught music for three years at the HKIS. He assigned me to Britannia school which basically had no band program but it had a student body that was 90% Asian. I will always remember him as the person who had the courage and trust in me to think that I could build up a band program at Brit. I’m glad that I think I was worthy of the challenge and will be forever grateful to Dennis for giving me the opportunity to having a fun-filled and rewarding career.
This is way overdue, but I finally am able to put my thoughts together. I watched the memorial service this afternoon and smiled and cried so many times. I met Dennis over 30 years ago and as a young teacher my meeting with him ended up being life changing for me. I think it was at a music conference and he was a presenter. I approached him after he spoke and our conversation went over supper and late into the evening. Over the course of my 31.5 years of teaching Dennis and I chatted and collaborated many times. I have some stories that I would like to share that sum up who Dennis was to me.
One summer my wife Cathy and I and our two boys went to Green Lake to visit Dennis and Ruth. We had our tent trailer with us and we spend a couple nights camping in their yard. We visited and Dennis and Ruth were so genuine in hosting us. Dennis wanted to take me and the boys out on the lake, but the motor for the boat wasn’t running. Undeterred, Dennis took us out anyway and rowed the boat all over the lake. I tried to tell him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted. Cathy purchased two angels from Ruth and we treasure them and display them every Christmas.
I had Dennis come to Lumsden several times to workshop my bands, and he bonded with my students and I watched them grow under his guidance. HIs caring way and love for music and love for kids was obvious One time in particular, we were workshopping my senior band and at the end of an entirely student-led performance of Irish Tune there was a huge pause then a gasp from the students. They realized that what had just happened was entirely unique and for many students…life changing. From that experience we (the students and Dennis and I) found a fundamentally impactful way to approach the music. That led to a unique performance set-up for our upcoming festival performance in Nelson, BC. As it turns out, Dennis was one of the clinicians that year at the festival along with Gerry King from U. Vic. As we were setting up Gerry leaned to Dennis and asked him, “What is Scott doing?” Dennis just smiled and said, “You’ll see.”
During the pandemic I was faced with the prospect of leading and learning with my bands via Zoom. I had been chatting with Dennis and he asked if I would be interested in him meeting my Wind Ensemble in our regular weekly Zoom. I jumped at the chance. What happened was nothing short of amazing. Dennis and the group chatted and connected for an hour and a half. I’m still not sure who enjoyed it more…Dennis or the kids. My heart was full. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to have my kids meet Dennis.
Dennis and I talked many times about soul and spirit. Any time we chatted I always felt like he saw me for who I was and made me feel like I really had something to offer. It was his great strength. Any time I had the chance to visit with Dennis I always felt better about who I was. I speak to my undergraduate class about mentors and every time I do I think of Dennis. I am the teacher I am because of him. HIs guidance, his love, and his friendship is something I will alway cherish. I know how profoundly sad I am about Dennis’ passing, I can’t imagine how his family feels. Dennis touched so many lives. My students benefited from that. Every student I taught it part of his legacy. I know this has been very long, and likely a little self-serving, but I really needed to share what Dennis meant to me. There are so many stories that I could share. I am a better man, a better husband, a better father, a better teacher…because I had Dennis in my life. Dennis, you will be missed.
Updated info for live stream of celebration of life today, April 1 at 1.
https://m.youtube.com/live/QA78zyTYRP8?feature=share
Dennis was hard at work making music education better for all in Vancouver when I was a high school student. I remember him as such a friendly and positive force even back then. Later, as I became involved in the BC Choral Federation and choral events of all sizes, he was there, rolling up his sleeves and being simultaneously and effortlessly a leader and a team player/servant. The older he got, the more passionate he got that children need music to be fully educated. His positive and lighthearted nature in BCCF meetings will stay with me. His passion and commitment for music education will be a big part of his legacy. I wish I could go to the event in Vancouver on April 1 but, alas, have other plans. Best wishes to the three of you.
One of my earliest music education experiences was playing tenor saxophone at the Vancouver School Board Summer School of the Arts held at Eric Hamber Secondary, Vancouver in 1977. Dennis was the conductor/teacher and he was a larger-than life personality; I thought I was in the presence of the divine. His decades of advocacy work in music education had ripples throughout Canada. He was one of those human beings that inspired all of us to be better.
Thank you to the Tupman family for lending us your “poppy” as he led the fight for arts education. He made such an impact wherever he went and I will be forever grateful. Rest in peace faithful servant.
Dr. Adam Jonathan Con
Music Education Faculty, University of Victoria
My heartfelt condolences to the Tupman family. I had the privilege of sharing clarinet parts in a number of 100 Mile House musical productions with Dennis and the unique experience of being his Dental Hygienist. Dennis blessed my life and will always be a precious memory.
Shannon Doolan
Doug and Ainslie Thomson
It was a wonderful surprise to find Dennis in the Caribou as it was in Kitimat that we knew him best.
I taught at Whitesail School where his three little girls attended.
He was a frequent visitor to the elementary schools, demonstrating for us new music programs.
His home was always open to us and we spent many enjoyable moments there.
Dennis and Ruth even sang at our wedding.
We also enjoyed his leadership in the United Church choir.
Our condolences to the family.
Dennis touched my life in so many positive ways. He was the one who mentored me to become a singer in our Community Choir. Through Dennis, I was privileged to meet and interact with many professionals in the music industry, Jack Glatzer- world renowned Violinist, Donny Clark-Jazz Trumpeter, Jane Coop-Concert Pianist, to name just a few. These and many other similar experiences enriched my live immeasurably and I will forever be grateful to Dennis.
My deepest condolences to Dennis’s family.
Rest in peace my dear friend.
Always super happy to have great conversations with him at Fischer Place. I remember his kind spirit and great generosity when the facility movie TV broke on Christmas Eve, he went right out and bought a new one for our patients! Top notch man and really awesome family!! Your inspirational messages left on our windows when Covid hit, always provided colleagues and I with much needed inspiration! Thankyou greatly and Thankyou for always understanding and your sincere kindness !❤️
Our dearest Dennis was such an inspiration to so many. He was one of my main inspirations in pursing my singing career and also loving support personally. As well he was supportive of my children musically. I admired his wisdom, knowledge in so many areas, kindness, support of the community musically, passion for education, and his devotion to his wife and family. Thank you so much.