Obituary

Edward Mark Buttwinick, 87, passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends in Los Angeles, CA on October 9, 2025. Known by many as Ed, Eddy or Mr. Buttwinick (by his beloved students) and by family as Papa or Papa Bucko, his charisma and warmth gave life vibrant color to all who knew him. Born April 23, 1938 and raised in Los Angeles, Ed navigated Bancroft Junior High School and Fairfax High School the way he navigated life — making lifelong friendships, pulling pranks, and charming everyone with his ever-ready grin. At 16 years old he met his beloved Linda, one year younger, and from that spark grew a 71-year journey together.

On June 21, 1958, Ed and Linda were married, and together they built a life founded on love, family, creativity and shared purpose. Their daughters, Karen D. Buttwinick and Jill B. Zweier, were the delight of their lives. When Jill married Lou and Karen married David, they became beloved sons to Ed; he cherished their love, counsel, and connection.  And then came the grandchildren … Ed’s eyes and smile lit up with exuberance whenever he saw his cherished Danny, Matt, Julia, and Aaron, who brought him endless joy and pride.

Ed’s love for people was never quiet or restrained — it burst out in laughter, stories, the occasional raucous, raunchy joke (delivered with an impish twinkle in his eye), and with a smile that was contagious to all. He had a deep desire to bring joy, provoke thought, and share kindness with everyone in his orbit. His devotion to art and education became the vehicle for much of that love. He began his formal art education in high school, then earned a B.A. in Art and Education from UCLA, where he remained a proud Bruin for the remainder of his life. He became a training teacher for the UCLA Department of Education. He taught at 39th Street school in inner-city LA, then Warner Ave. school in Westwood, for a decade, uplifting hundreds of students with his magnetism, respect for all and gentle guiding hand. He was a role model and mentor and loved his students deeply. 

In 1971, he and Linda co-founded the Brentwood Art Center ("BAC"), a school of fine art serving children, teens, and adults across Los Angeles. Over 34 years as Director, Ed shaped the BAC into a cultural landmark, teaching thousands of students, training teachers, and creating space for creativity, inclusivity, and community. Over time, the BAC’s network of students, teachers, and contributors became a family in itself. Linda’s energy and business acumen were constant forces behind the BAC’s success. Where Ed’s strengths lay in creativity, teaching, and helping others find their inner artist, hers lay in organization, administration, and vision. Together they navigated the joys and challenges of running a growing arts institution. In many ways, the BAC was their third child — and they nurtured it fiercely. 

Outside the walls of the BAC, Ed served on community boards and initiatives — partnering with arts education associations and nonprofit organizations, such as “A Window Between Worlds,” which supports art for survivors of trauma. He was a voice in Los Angeles’ cultural and educational communities, always seeking ways to bring art, healing, and beauty into everyday life. In 1987, Ed was honored with the California Outstanding Supervisor of Art Education Award. In 2005, the City of Los Angeles presented him with a Certificate Tribute Award in recognition of his service. His works live on in collections at the Skirball Museum and the Sha’Arei Am synagogue, and through lectures at Hebrew Union College. 

A lifelong assemblage artist, in his later years Ed created art from his studio in the Pacific Palisades, using religious artifacts, horns and hides of animals, and mundane objects to create complex pieces of Judaica. His work was a reflection of his Jewish heritage, exploring themes drawn from his religion and upbringing; he walked the line between meaningful and playful, metaphorical and magical. To view Ed’s artwork, please check out the following link https://buttwinick.com. His presence in the arts community of Los Angeles, as an artist and teacher, remains a steady source of inspiration.

Ed Buttwinick leaves behind a legacy of love, joy, creativity, and laughter. He is survived by his wife, Linda, who he cherished daily for 71 years; his daughters and their husbands, Jill (Lou), Karen (David); his grandchildren and their spouses Danny (Pippa), Matt (Stephanie), Julia, and Aaron; and his great grandchildren, Zion, Zinnia, and Noah; as well as his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind his closest friends, students, and art teachers who loved and adored him until the end. He is predeceased by his beloved, musical, kind brother Marty. The Buttwinick family would like to acknowledge their dear friend Maria, who has been by Ed and Linda's side for over 20 years. Without Maria's help, love, support, kindness, dedication, hard work and compassion, Ed would not have had the quality of life he had in his final years, and Ed's family will be forever grateful to Maria and her devoted family. Lastly, we also want to thank the committed staff from Belmont Village Encino and Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center for their excellent care.

Ed's family and friends were the center of his world, and his life was radiant because of them. May his memory be a blessing and continue to inspire you to live with passion, generosity, joy, humor, and creativity.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Ed Buttwinick Scholarship at the Brentwood Art Center (please click this link: https://www.brentwoodart.org/edward-buttwinick-scholarship ) in his memory — a small way to continue his work of supporting underserved youth who are passionate about art, but would not otherwise be able to attend BAC classes.