“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 one of the most faith-full people I ever had the pleasure to know. He offered his thoughtful messages to our small lay-led congregation as explorations in a humble and thought-provoking way. He brought great musical insight to our community choir where he and Ruth were stalwart participants. Dennis often provided support and encouragement to others who stepped up to serve at church or choir. Whether behind the scenes or out front, Dennis could be relying upon to always give his best with a few jokes along the way. He will be greatly missed.
Far more than a teacher and mentor, he influenced both of our lives in a profound way.
dennis, I will forever miss kibbitzing with you. you will be in my heart forever. sincere condolences to all his family. dennis was a great person, and will be missed by many.
Dennis has drawn thousands of his colleagues and students into the world of music. He was literally magnetic in his passion and profound in his knowledge, making participation completely compelling.
It has been a highlight of my career in education to have known him.
Deepest condolences to his family.
Mr. Tupman changed my student’s life and touched his heart. For five years at Magee, my saxophone student played 2nd alto, while the lead alto was a kid with a loud, harsh tone (which was what the band teacher wanted). Despite my student’s gorgeous, Paul Desmond-like sound, he found himself in the shadow of the other kid. Then, right near the end of Grade 12, the band went to a music festival/clinic in Whistler. While there, Mr. Tupman rehearsed the Magee band. At one point, while working with the saxophones, he asked all of them to play the phrase in question one by one. After he heard the lead alto play, he pointed to my student. Upon hearing my student, he burst into a big smile, turned to the lead alto player and said, “NOW THAT’S HOW YOU PLAY THE ALTO SAXOPHONE – PLAY LIKE THAT FROM NOW ON!” At my next lesson with my student, he recounted this story and was in tears. “Someone finally heard the difference – after all of these years!” It was a truly beautiful moment, all because of Mr. Tupman and his great ears!
It is said that the stature of a man comes from the number of people whose life he touched – in that context Dennis was a giant.
What a beautiful tribute to an extraordinary man! I wish I would have had the honour of meeting your Dad. He surely set a wonderful example to his family as his daughters and family are a tribute to him. Our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to all of you.
Thinking about you all at this terrible time. We all loved Dennis so much, we now must cherish and remember our special times with him. Dennis will live in my heart forever.
It was such a privilege for me to meet Dennis and Ruth and the girls in 1968 when we moved to Kitimat. They were both shining lights in the community and were a great example to me, as a young woman and mother, of a loving, caring family, as well as brilliant musicians. I loved singing beside Ruth in the church choir and the community choir – and enjoyed Dennis’s warm leadership and wit – what fun years those were! Both Dennis and Ruth created such a beautiful spirit among the community and choir members through their friendship and influence and Dennis’s innate leadership. They will always be in my heart. I truly appreciate you all for being part of our lives.
Our deepest condolences to Dennis’s family. He was such a joy to know always such a cheerful man who put a smile on everyone’s face. He will truly be missed.