Everett Homer Bush (1918-2003).

Burk, William R.

Everett Homer Bush, age 84, Professor Emeritus and former chairman of the Department of Geography at Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH, died 1 January 2003 in Springfield Mercy Medical Center, Springfield, OH. Among his commendations, he received the Bronze Star for meritorious service in the United States Army during World War II and was honored as a 50-year member of the Association of American Geographers in 1997. Joining The Ohio Academy of Science in 1950, Bush affiliated with Section Geography (vice-president, 1960-1962), was elected a Fellow (1958), and was accorded Emeritus status (1996). As a participant in the Academy's Visiting Scientists Program, he presented several classes in geography at North Ridge Junior High School, Springfield, OH, in 1966.

Born 18 April 1918 in Westfield, MA, Everett Homer Bush was the son of Homer Earl and Edna Zell (Graves) Bush. His ancestors settled in Saybrook, CT, in 1636. Since 1669, at least eight generations of his family lived on a farm in Westfield, MA. In Westfield, he completed his secondary education and attended the State Teacher's College (now Westfield State College), where he earned a B.S. degree in education (1942) with a concentration in social studies. Called into military service in 1942, he joined the United States Army and trained at Camp Lee, VA. He served for over two years in England, Wales, France, and Belgium, working with truck transportation units (Red Ball Express) until being mustered out with the rank of Captain, 27th Quartermaster Corps. Subsequently joining the United States Army Reserves, he attained the rank of Colonel and retired in 1978. He also pursued graduate studies at Clark University, receiving an M.A. in geography (1947). Under the direction of Professor of Geography Walter Elmer Ekblaw, Bush completed his thesis, which concerned "The Geography of the Potash Water Supply in the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts."

In 1947 Bush joined the faculty at Wittenberg University, where he was appointed an assistant professor in the Department of Geography. Concurrently, he pursued doctoral studies in geography, first at The Ohio State University (summers 1949, 1950) and then at Clark University while he took a leave of absence (1951-1952). In 1952 the Department of Geography was merged along with those of Geology and Astronomy to form the Department of Earth Science. Bush continued to teach geography in the newly constituted unit and assumed its chairmanship in 1960 when he was granted tenure and became an associate professor. After Geography was re-established as a separate department in 1964, Bush continued to teach geography and was appointed chairman in 1967. He was promoted to the rank of professor in 1974 and continued teaching until his retirement in September 1983 when he became Professor Emeritus.

Bush noted that the Geography Department served two basic roles: 1) providing a cognate field in training historians, sociologists, political scientists, and students in other areas of social sciences; and 2) offering a major in preparing secondary school teachers, city and regional planners, and students for graduate school to become professional geographers (Wittenberg Alumnus 22[1]:2-3. 1970). Bush was a popular instructor. He enjoyed the closer student/faculty association that a small school such as Wittenberg offered. His students affectionately called him "Professor Necktie" because he wore flashy, colorful ties. After wearing plain ones during military service, he thought that no tie was too gaudy to wear. Bush also taught students outside of academia. From June to August 1959 he headed a Summer Institute in which 36 junior and senior high school teachers attended classes that emphasized geology and astronomy. The aim of the institute was to improve the quality of science teaching at schools and to strengthen the capacity of science teachers in motivating their students to become science teachers.

Bush's fields of specialty in geography included geomorphology and climatology. In research he focused on economic geography. In 1966 Bush was one of three faculty members from Wittenberg to participate in research and studies on the civilization and culture of Latin America. Sponsored by the Regional Council for International Education, the program took place at Otterbein College during the winter months. Taking a sabbatical leave in 1971, he conducted independent research at the University of Newcastle in Australia. His studies entailed economic geography and resource development as well as the geography of the South Pacific region.

Outside of his teaching and research, Bush was a faculty representative to the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) from 1965-1982. In the OAC he was elected vice president (1971), became president (1973), and was immediate past president (1974-1975). Wittenberg honored Bush for his contributions to athletics at the annual Varsity "W" Breakfast on 5 June 1982. Ever since joining the University, he participated in intramural softball, volleyball, basketball, handball, and bowling. He also officiated at Tiger (Wittenberg's team) swimming and track meets.

In professional associations Bush held memberships in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association of American Geographers, and the National Council for Geographic Education. Active in civic affairs, he was a member of the Boy Scouts Council of Springfield. In the Kiwanis Club of Springfield, he served as president (1968) and was inducted into the Legends of Springfield Kiwanis (2002). He was active in the United Appeals Fund of Clark County and local government committees. He also enjoyed memberships in the Wright Patterson Air Force Officers Club and the Reserve Officers Association.

Surviving Everett Homer Bush is his wife Beverly Estes (Richmond) Bush, whom he married on 17 January 1943. He is also survived by two brothers, Harold Bush of Westfield, MA, and David Bush of Rochester, NY, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Stanley Bush; and a sister, Barbara Bush. Visiting hours were held on 4 January 2003 at the Woods-Allgier Funeral Home, Springfield, where funeral services were also held on the following day with Reverends Stuart Rammes and Ed Dungan officiating. His body was subsequently taken to his hometown of Westfield. There, services were held at the First United Methodist Church. Internment took place with full military honors in the Pine Hills Cemetery in Westfield. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Kiwanis Foundation, P. O. Box 1653, Springfield, OH 45501-1653 or Wittenberg University, c/o Department of Geography, P. O. Box 720, Springfield, OH 45501.