Richard Delos Bush

Richard Delos Bush, Flat Rock, NC, was born to Ruth (Barrett) and Howard Lewis Bush in Hillsdale, MI. He was married to Susan (Rathbun) Hussey Bush on February 14, 1999, in Sandgate, VT. He died Monday, June 12, 2023, in Hendersonville, NC, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. They resided at 328 Kenmure Drive, Flat Rock, NC.

Richard and Susan were part of the Kenmure Community in Flat Rock for 20 years and made many friends there. He enjoyed tennis, bridge and was a member of the Kenmure Chorus.

Richard was reared first in Montpelier, OH, and moved to Neosho, MO in 1952, when his family purchased the Neosho Daily News. He was always part of the business, first as a carrier, inserter, and press catcher and later as an editor.

A graduate of Neosho High School in 1958, he took his musical talents to The University of Arkansas, where he played saxophone in the band and strutted for the U of A Marching Band as a highly regarded drum major. All the fans would stand and cheer when he marched out horizontally through the middle of the band at football games. He also led the band onto the field at the 1960 Gator Bowl and 1961 Cotton Bowl.

He joined the United States Marine Corps and served in Okinawa and Japan. On his return home by ship, many soldiers slept on the deck. He noticed the position of the stars altered as the ship changed direction. He found out later they were being sent to protect the country during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

After the Marine Corps, he graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri. He was awarded an internship to work in New Zealand for The Waikato Times and was responsible for coverage of the Māori people.

On his return, he began his career at The Neosho Daily News where he became editor. He served on the Neosho City Council and was active in civic affairs. Known for his musical and acting abilities, he participated in several plays with the Neosho and Joplin community theater groups. He was the leading man in The Music Man, Camelot, and other plays.

After he left the newspaper, he changed his location and career. He moved to New Jersey and worked on the staff at the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous in New York City and met Susan! He had many assignments at the office, but his favorite was the head of the International Department because he loved to travel. He retired in 1999.

He visited all 50 states, most of the Canadian Provinces, and many other countries.

In addition to his wife, Susan, he is survived by his sons, Richard Delos Bush III, Bella Vista, AR and Ross Andrew Bush, Vienna, MO, and their families: Hailey Renee (Bush) Cooper, her husband, Bradley Pierce Cooper and their son, Callahan Brooks Cooper, Bella Vista, AR; Jordan Elizabeth Bush and her sons, Beckett Lee Means and Reece Hudson Means, Rogers, AR; Lindsey Kristen-Barrett Bush, Pea Ridge, AR; Clara Rose Bush, Vienna, MO.

AND his loving, blended family, Kathleen Michelle (Swift) Orris and her husband, Richard Sands Orris and their sons, William Sands Orris and Thomas Foster Orris, Cumming, GA; Melissa Marlene (Swift) Brown and her husband, Jeffrey Alan Brown, Fort Smith, AR, their son, William Jacob Herrel and his wife, Rosa Esther (Galvan) Herrel and their daughter Camilla Esther Herrel, Barling, AR; Michael Rathbun Hussey and his wife Rose Elizabeth (Hewson) Hussey and their son Walter Stanley Hussey, Islamorada, FL; John Robert Hussey and his wife, Carin Sasha Young, Mill Valley, CA. His stepson, David Francis Hussey, Ocean, NJ preceded him in death.

AND his sisters, Anne (Bush) Cope, Neosho, MO; Dr. Caroline (Bush) Broomand, Sacramento, CA; Dr. Kathryn Bush, Madison, WI; his sister-in-law, Betsy (Rathbun) Gunn, Manchester, VT. His brother, Channing Laurence Bush, Neosho, MO preceded him in death.

AND his many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kenmure Fights Cancer Fund, c/o Community Foundation of Henderson County, 401 North Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

A local Celebration of Life for Richard will be held from 4 pm to 6 pm on Friday, July 28th, 2023, at Kenmure Country Club, 100 Clubhouse Drive, Flat Rock, NC; an additional Celebration of Life for Richard will be held from 2 pm to 4 pm on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Compton Gardens, 312 N. Main St., Bentonville, AR. A graveside service will be at 11 am, Saturday, November 18th, 2023, at Fairview Cemetery, 456 Hwy 35, Middletown, NJ. All of his friends are welcome to come.