Bob Busch

Robert W. "Bob" Busch, 84, a long-time resident of Stevens Point and Lake DuBay, died peacefully on Friday, August 7, 2015 in Wausau.

A memorial service will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, 2291 Church Road, Dancy, WI on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 1:30 PM with the Reverend Doctor Timothy Roser officiating. A reception and reflection of Bob's life will follow the service from 2:00 to 4:00 PM in the church's Fellowship Hall.

Bob was born July 11, 1931 in Jefferson City, MO, the only son of Walter and Ann Busch. He was active in Boy Scouts of America and attained the rank of Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. He received the High Heroism Award from the National Council of Boy Scouts of America in 1948 for saving a life.

In 1945, he attended school at St. Paul's High School in Concordia, MO, where he graduated in 1949. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Concordia Teachers' College in River Forest, IL. He graduated with a B.S. in Education in 1953. He also earned a Master's degree in Education and Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 1964.

While studying at Concordia, Bob met his future wife, Helen Rauschelbach. They married in June, 1953 and remained together until his death.

A lifelong educator, he began his career in 1953 as a Principal and teacher in Arlington, VA and Baltimore, MD. In 1956, Bob and Helen moved to southern Wisconsin, where he served as a teacher and Director of Student Activities for Milwaukee Lutheran High School.

In 1967, Bob and his family moved to Stevens Point, where he began a 27-year career at UWSP. He began as the Director of Student Activities and later became the Director of the University Centers. During this time, he was instrumental in shaping and expanding the Student Manager program, which gave students greater control over university facilities, along with real-world supervisory experience.

In the late 60s and early 70s, Bob was a key figure in the National Entertainment Conference, an organization that joined universities together to create greater leverage and purchasing power in booking arts and entertainment activities. He served as the national Chairman of the Board of Directors, Foundation Chairman, and Unit Coordinator in the mid-1970s. In 1976, the Wisconsin chapter of this organization instituted the Robert W. Busch award to recognize exemplary service.

He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Bob was a member of Lions Club International and Optimists International. He was also active in the Association of College Unions International, and the National Association of College Auxiliaries.

Bob is survived by his wife, Helen, Wausau; three sons: John (Kathy), Stevens Point; Kurt (Katharine), Seattle, WA; and Paul (Kris), Weston; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.