Richard H. Busch

Richard H. Busch Jr., died Sat. April 25, 2020 at Colonial Nursing Home in Rockford. He was born on Nov. 22, 1940 to Richard and Mary (Fair) Busch; both preceded him in death. On Nov. 22, 1962 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Hildegarde Hemmer (Miss Offenbach, Germany 1957); she preceded him in death on March 15, 2011.

He is survived by a sister, Linda (Roger) Wurst of Van Wert; nieces, Terri Rauch of Decatur, Megan Wurst of Delphos, nephews Billy (Sara) Busch of Fort Wayne, Rodney Busch Jr. of Van Wert and Chad Wurst of Decatur, and many great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by two brothers, Terry and Rodney Busch; infant sister, Brenda; maternal grandparents, Jim and Ethel (Follas) Fair; paternal grandparents, Earl and Edith (Workman) Bush and a nephew, Richard Busch.

Richard graduated from Delphos Jefferson and enlisted in the Army in 1958. His early training as aircraft jet engine mechanic and Sikorsky helicopter pilot/instructor gained him honors as Mr. Sikorsky’s Private Pilot. This laid the foundation for his later accomplishments in the aerospace, aircraft and robotic industries.

Richard started his career at Fruehauf, Excello Corp. then Dana. In the 80’s he moved to California taking a position with Lockheed Martin. While at Skunkworks, he worked on many projects including SR71 Blackbird, 117A Stealth, he then worked on the Space Shuttle Program. He moved to Greece to establish a Lockheed Martin Corp. plant by request of the Greek government. They lived and worked in Greece, France and Germany. He also traveled and conducted business in England, Ireland, Egypt, Italy, Mexico and Canada. After returning home, Richard took a position with JB Tool to take the company global in 1995 with QS9000 standards. This gained him recognition from governors, congressmen and Presidents, being invited by President George H. Bush to a black tie ball at the White House for foreign manufacturing in aerospace defense. In 1998, Richard helped globally expand Oreck Tool with QS9000 allowing him to rub elbows with Dr. Taguchi, Mr. Toyota and Mr. Honda. Later Richard took several positions as a change agent in many aerospace and robotic industries in central and southern Ohio. He sat on several university and college boards speaking on the importance of education and how it is the key to future industry. He prided himself as a friend of Neil Armstrong and living "down the hill" from Trump in California. After all of his adventures and accomplishments, his journey is over. He and Hildegarde are together again, and will rest side by side at Walnut Grove Cemetery, where there will be military grave rites by the Delphos Veterans Council at a later date.