Robert Eaton “Bob” Bush, resident of Richland, WA for more than 63 years, returned home to his loving Lord, Jesus Christ, January 1, 2015. Bob passed peacefully at home surrounded by numerous family members. He was healthy & energetic until he lost a sudden and recent battle with MDS. Bob was born south of Republican City, NE, on the family farm, November 25, 1924, to Earl & Ruth (Eaton) Bush. He never lost his love for his home state of Nebraska although the family moved to Twin Falls, ID in 1936. It was here he met his beloved wife of 64 years, Dorothy Aleene “Ally” Richardson. After graduating from Twin Falls High School in 1942, he began attending Idaho State University. A few months later, Bob & Aleene were engaged. In January 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Boise, ID, June 1943. He was assigned to the 127th Army Airways Communications System Squadron, Truax Army Airfield, Madison, WI, as a high speed radio key operator. Bob & Aleene were married in the Truax base chapel November 17, 1943. In September 1944, he began serving in the WWII China-Burma-India Theater in the following places in India: Dibrugarh (primarily at Chabua Airfield), Dergaon, Dimapur & Sadiya.
In February 1946, he returned to the States and attained the rank of Corporal before he received an Honorable Discharge March 20, 1946. Bob and Aleene lived in Twin Falls, where sons Gary Robert (1948) and Earl Lee (1950) were born. In June of 1951, the family moved to Pasco, WA where they lived briefly before moving to Richland, WA where daughter, Dorothy Anne, was born (1954).
A loving & caring couple, Bob & Aleene were an equally yoked couple whose marriage honored the Lord and others. They loved to travel and their greatest delight was being & doing things with family & friends. Bob and Aleene instilled the love of God in their children's hearts as well as teaching them the importance of family and friends, treating others with dignity and respect, being hospitable, serving those around us with compassion and how to be good financial stewards. They were living examples of “loving your neighbor” and “doing for others as you would have them do for you.”
Since 1952, Bob had been a faithful and active member of Central United Protestant (CUP) Church in Richland, WA.
Bob served as assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 28 at CUP. Because the Troop grew quickly, Bob became the first scoutmaster for newly formed Troop 228. A man of integrity, his life modeled the scout oath, law, motto and slogan.
Bob’s daughter, “Punkin” describes him as the “energizer bunny” of the family as a community volunteer, including Meals on Wheels, Visitation of Shut-ins, working at the reception desk at the Community Center, and numerous other ways. Bob was an active member of Young At Heart, VFW Post 7952, Burma Star Association (U.K.), Richland Seniors Association & Hanford Retirees Association. Members of Prairie Shufflers Square Dance Club since 1963, Bob & Aleene were accomplished square & round dancers. He served on the Board of Directors for the Shufflers as well as Prairie Land Company, Blue Mountain Square Dance Council, Square & Folk Dance Federation of Washington (SFDFW), Farwest (Western States) Convention and the National Square Dance Convention. In 1973, Bob and Aleene were honored with the SFDFW’s Harry MacGregor Award. In 1975, they were elected Chairman of the State Square Dance Festival held in Richland, WA. Bob worked for GE, ITT, ARHCO, Rockwell & Westinghouse as a financial analyst at the Hanford Site 1951–1987.
Preceding Bob in death were his parents, beloved best friend & wife, Aleene, and nephew, David Bush. He is survived by sons, Gary (Carol) & Lee Bush, daughter Dorothy Anne (Chris) Vowels, granddaughters Kendra (Jeremy) Kinlock, Kristin (Eric) Sargent, Leslie (Jeremy) Brock, Erin (Lucas) Casch, Jessica Aleene Vowels & Lisa (Aaron) Toner, great-granddaughters Mackenzie, Elia & Braelynn Kinlock, Jillian Sargent, and great-grandsons Lincoln Casch, Asher Brock & Grayson Sargent. He is also survived by his brother Dean (Marge) Bush, brothers-in-law Alton (Leona-deceased) & Stanley (Barbe) Richardson, sisters-in-law Beverly Richardson & Barb (Boyd-deceased) Parker, niece, Laura (Tim) Shepherd, eight nephews Kevin (Sylvia), Rick (Beth), Dan, Reid (Fran) & Brad (Nikki) Richardson, Doug (Karen) Parker & Larry & Randy Bush, and five close cousins Sherryl (Tom) Valentine, Ted (Donna) & John (partner Jill Cook) Henning, Joe (Janet), Don (Vicky) & Ron (Pam) Eaton.
Bob would encourage you to spend some time having a special meal with family or someone you haven’t seen for a while. As he didn’t like saying “goodbye,” he would have told you “Until we meet again…..”