Byron Paul Bushman

Byron Bushman, 69, of Grandview Heights, Ohio, died peacefully at home in his waterbed. Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, to the late Dr. Adolph and Ina Bushman, Byron was Valedictorian of his 1971 Portsmouth High School class and a stand-out athlete. He graduated magna cum laude from The Ohio State University and went on to secure a Master’s degree in psychology.

Growing up in Southern Ohio was idyllic for Byron. He camped and explored the great Ohio River and developed a love of the outdoors that continued throughout his life. Byron went on backpacking trips into his 60s and enthusiastically shared his time, gear, and expertise with others.

Travel was one of Byron’s great loves and he made several extensive excursions all across South America in the ’70s and ’80s. With only his backpack and a camera kit, Byron brought back a world most of us will never see. Byron’s thoughtful eye captured evocative, striking images that he developed in his own darkroom using innovative techniques. The stories of his adventures around the world are legendary.

A remarkable photographer, Byron also worked as a Vice President at Sunderland Painting for 30 years and never lost his rebel edge. He enjoyed discovering and sharing films and music, concerts, biking, lively discussions, Buckeye football and was a committed, expert gardener. Byron relished introducing people to new wine, weed, or wild hot sauce concoctions. He was an excellent cook and could whip up a delicious meal with vegetables from his garden, random ingredients, and robust flavors in just two or three days. Warm memories of many good times with Byron will comfort those who knew and loved him.

Byron greatly enjoyed visiting the movie sets of his son, Nicholas, and was an active supporter of his work as a filmmaker – even travelling to a film location in the Outer Banks where he opted to camp out on the dunes rather than stay in a spacious beach house. He happily opened his home to actors, crew members, musicians, and their dogs, and was the first one at the theater for the premiers. Watching Nicholas work and create was one of the highlights of Byron’s life.

Despite enduring multiple surgeries for past injuries and living with chronic pain the last few years, Byron valiantly maintained his independence. He continued to share vegetables and flowers from his garden and fascinating stories. And his door was always open for movie nights and fun.

Byron is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Adolph and Ina Bushman, and his uncle, Dr. Peter Vissels. He is survived by his son, Nicholas (Hillary Schall) Bushman, of Studio City, California; his sister, Irene Bushman; and niece, Diana Ulsh, both of Portsmouth, Ohio. A large, loving, loyal community of friends and neighbors mourn Byron, including Clark (Marty) Elliot and Mike (Kathleen) Dwyer, both of Grandview Heights. A visitation will be held at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221 on Friday, October 7, 2022, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. (Tuxedos optional). Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences.