“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
I was saddened to come across Dennis’ obituary, my condolences to the family. I was a member of the Mt. Elizabeth High School Band in Kitimat from 1960-1962. Fond memories, especially of our big band trip by rail down the length of B.C. and over to Victoria and back. Last met Dennis some twenty or so years ago at an informal campout / reunion at Green Lake. He was an inspiring educator and mentor whom I respected and admired.
Thank you for the wonderful tributes to Dad. It has really helped the family at this time of loss. I have been asked by several people where we would like any donations to go to. Here is the information.
100 Mile & District Arts Council, Box 2262, 100 Mile House BC V0K 2E0
I’m so sorry to hear about Dennis. He leaves a huge gap in the fabric of the world. I never left his presence without a heightened optimism about things, no matter what the current cause or project was. I will always remember him with a glow.
I am so sorry about Dennis’ passing. I will miss him. He was a dynamic force for the arts, & his legacy will live on in all the music & drama programs he championed.
Those were heady days when all was imaginable, written in the notation of hope, heartfulness, inspiration, passion & possibility.
Rest well, Dennis. You will be remembered.
While Dennis lived in the community of 100 Mile House, I have to say I was something of a groupie. I wanted to be a part of whatever he was involved in. Of course that was mostly music. Even near the end, chatting with him a bit while we were both at Fischer Place visiting our spouses, my Jeffrey, his Ruth, we had a rich and meaningful conversation. I must look up some of our emails. They were like works of art. What an enormously special human being that man was. I feel very privileged to have known him.
I was lucky enough to get to know Dennis over the phone a year or so ago. I’d contacted him about Vic High Alumni information, and we talked about Vic High where he met Ruth. I also knew of his dad Frank, musical director at Metropolitan United Church where my grandmother was church secretary and our family very involved. We shared our mutual love of music, and he shared his and Ruth’s love of singing together. The last song they sang together took them back to where and when they met, Victoria High School’s song ‘Come Give A Cheer’. He and his stories touched me deeply, and I am grateful for the connection I had with him this past year. For some reason, he’s been on my mind for a month or so. Perhaps it’s his spirit reminding me of these heart connections, of the power of music, and with Ruth, of how love is really all there is. We are all the richer for our connection with Dennis, and Ruth.
I have good memories of Mr Tupman in the mid 1950’s Kitimat, as a neighbor & teacher. My family lived at 23 Eagle St. Upper Village Kitimat immediately next door to Mr Calum, the Jr/Sr High School principal. Further down the block, 2nd house from the corner the Tupman family of three lived. Being the only young teen on the block I did much babysitting up & down our street including baby Raechal-then a happy giggly baby. Snowfalls in Kitimat were frequent 3’to 4′ dumps with only occasional snow plowing. One winter late evening most of the street residents were on the street, sledding, skiing & street hockey under the awesome crackling green aurora borealis. My Mom, Mrs Calum & Mrs Tupman organized hot chocolate for us kids and the Dads arranged some other beverages for the adults.
Mr.Tupman was both my Home Room & English teacher for Grade 8. Mr.T’s music classes were popular to the point where there were frequent after school hours sessions. His was a calm, patient voice in English classes & a very firm believer in reading all manner of books; history-novels-current affairs, explore the library. He also had some inflexible requirements for us when it came to report writing, some I implemented in my own career training staff. Mr. T was aware I was an avid reader & encouraged me to some challenging authors including Winston Churchill. For a Grade 8 student Churchill was challenging & Mr. T’s advice after marking my report I can still recall “read him again in a few years”
It is often said most people when asked, can quickly recall a teacher or two who left a significant positive impact on their lives. I have two my Grade 12 Mathematics teacher & my Grade 8 English teacher Mr. Tupman. I find it a little ironic, I never, ever took a music class and remember him best as a strong advocate for reading and clear concise reporting.
The many accolades listed emphasize the man was one hell of a teacher
Dennis‘ life will continue to inspire and challenge us.
Marg and I have been truly blessed over many years by coming to know Dennis and Ruth in Kitimat in 1968. What amazing examples their lives have been to us in so many ways, both personal and professional.
Dennis truly made the world a better place by his life and example.
Sincere condolences to his family.
Bob Rankin
So sorry to hear of Dennis’ passing. We worked together a lot in 1992-93 when he was the President of the organizing committee for the 1993 World Symposium on Choral Music in Vancouver. We had 1000 choral conductors and 40 choirs from around the world visit Vancouver for that week. Dennis was always so warm and positive, and I remember how in our planning meetings he emphasized that we must leave time in the proceedings for “conviviality”! A true legend in the musical life of British Columbia.
I met Dennis when I was at UBC and he was one of my teachers or professors. We met at BCMEA conferences throughout the years. He was always interested in how you were doing and what you were doing. I’m sorry to not be able to attend his memorial service in April as we will still be overseas. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.