BOBBY EUGENE BUSCH, SR.

West Union, SC – Bobby E. Busch, Sr., Senior Chief USCG Retired, of West Union, SC, passed away November 10, 2023. He was the husband of Joann Lee Busch and the son of the late Berline Hood and John Henry Busch (Walhalla, SC). Bob and Joann were married on August 21, 1954, and shared sixty-nine happy years together. He was of the Lutheran Faith.

 

Bob retired in 1976 after twenty-six years of military service with the United States Navy and Coast Guard, having served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During his military career, He received numerous awards and commendations recognizing his service to his country.

 

While serving aboard various ships homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii, he served as President of the USCG Senior Chief’s Association with jurisdiction in the entire Pacific Basin. He served in this capacity during his years in Hawaii, traveling to the U.S. mainland for all of the Association Conventions.

 

Bob also served aboard the USGC Courier on the Isle of Rhodes, Greece. This ship functioned as the only voice of America broadcasting station afloat worldwide, broadcasting sixteen languages, seven days a week. He and his family were in Greece for two years where the children learned to speak Greek fluently.

 

After retirement from the military, Bob returned to his native Oconee County with his family. He then began another career with Law Enforcement and was appointed Director of the Oconee County Law Enforcement  Center in 1977. He served in that capacity for twenty-four years before retiring from his second career. During this period, he served as President of the S.C. Jail Administration Association.

 

After retirement from Law Enforcement, Bob operated a cattle farm where he raised registered Santa Gertrudis and later Red Angus cattle on a twenty-acre century farm previously owned by his grandfather, Jacob Busch.

 

Bob was preceded in death by a son: Bobby Eugene Busch, U.S. Navy; his grandson: Kevin Trostel; and his brothers: John Edward Busch (Barbara) and Charles Frederick Busch (Annette).

 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter: Debra Busch Redford of Franklin, TN; one grandson: Joseph Franklin Redford (Jessica) of Asheville, NC; two great-grandchildren: Storm and Harmony Redford of Asheville, NC; sister: Carolyn Busch Gravely (John) of Creedmor, NC; numerous nieces and nephews; and very much-loved neighbors: John and Ginny Eck (West Union, SC).

 

The family will receive family and friends from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Monday, November 20, 2023, prior to the service, at Davenport Funeral Home.

 

Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Monday, November 20, 2023, at Davenport Funeral Home Chapel with burial and full military rites to follow at Oconee Memorial Park, Seneca, SC.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to St. John’s Lutheran Church: 301 W Main St, Walhalla, SC 29691, or Patriots Hall: PO Box 591, Walhalla, SC 29691.