Harry J. "Bud" Kerwin

Harry J. “Bud” Kerwin, Jr., 86, Indianapolis, died on September 1, 2021. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, to the late Harry, Sr., and Myrtle on December 17, 1934. Bud graduated from Woodward High School in Toledo in 1954 and was inducted into the school’s Alumni Hall of Fame in 1998. As a freshman, Bud recalled, with amusement, that his first theatrical performance as a high school freshman was with senior Jameel Farah (Jamie Farr). Following high school, Bud received his education at the school of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and the International School in New York. He returned to Toledo and collaborated with Sam Szor at Woodward High School. There, Bud conducted classes in ballet, unheard of at the time in any public school. Students received dance training and performed with Sam’s orchestras. This experience had a profound effect on Bud as a teacher and a lifelong friendship with Toledo’s ‘Mister Music’. Bud spent fifteen years directing his own school of dance and company in Toledo-The Kerwin Ballet Theater. In 1967, he became the artistic director of the Columbus (Ohio) ballet, a position which he held for six years.

Bud joined the faculty at Butler University in 1971 and was regarded as a prolific choreographer and a celebrated teacher for Butler Ballet and the University. He taught jazz as well as ballet. He had a friendly air about him, and his students loved learning from him. He lived by a motto he wore on his shirt, “To live is to dance and to dance is to live”. Bud was often invited as a guest to teach and choreograph across the country and internationally. His love of travel grew in 1980 when his work at Butler provided him summer sabbatical experiences studying in Paris and teaching daily jazz classes at the International Center for Dance. During the summer of 1984, he was invited to teach and stage a ballet in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Bud spent the fall semester of 1990 observing classes of major dance companies throughout Europe. Amsterdam became his second home. For nearly 20 years, Bud performed the role of Herr Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker at Butler. He was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash upon his retirement in 1997, as associate professor of dance, for his contributions to the community for The Nutcracker.

Bud encouraged his students to be the best creative versions of themselves, and “go for it” in a very challenging career. To honor his legacy, the Bud Kerwin Jordan College of Arts Dance Scholarship was created to immortalize all he gave to his students and the dance community.

Bud is survived by dear friends and hundreds of former students and accomplished dancers. In Bud’s memory consider a donation to: Bud Kerwin Endowed Scholarship Butler University University Advancement 4600 Sunset Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46208

To sign the online register book or leave a note for the family, please visit flannerbuchanan.com. Arrangements entrusted to Flanner Buchanan-Carmel.