Robert Horton Bush

Robert Horton Bush, 68, of Johnstown, passed away on Friday, May 29, 2020 at OSU Wexner Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Bob graduated from Johnstown-Monroe High School in 1971. He has been a landscaper for 40 plus years and was currently working with his sons, Andy, Heath and grandson, Jacob in the family business named after himself, Bush & Sons LLC. Bob’s ill health over the years took a toll on him but he never gave up and always bounced back giving life his all to the point of jump starting a successful landscape business once again by a unanimous family decision. Having occurred much later in his life, Bob’s most personal achievement was that he was baptized and became a member of the Community of Christ church in Worthington, Ohio. His faith and church family relationships were life changing for him. Bob’s hobbies and interests were many. Having been born in Columbus, OH and raised on a farm in Johnstown, OH, he was an avid outdoorsman with a strong work ethic and well suited for his life’s profession. Bob loved his coffee, his beagles and enjoyed gardening, baling hay, hunting, fishing, TV westerns and collected John Wayne memorabilia. But most importantly, he shared a love of drag racing with younger son Heath. Their shared ownership of their racecar, a 1964 Nova, created a competitive spirit and many memorable moments. He was also known as the “The Bushwhacker” a nickname given to him by his circle of racing buddies. In fact, the family formed a business under the name “Bushwhacker Bob’s” where they originally created a condiment calling it “Bushwhacker Bob’s Hot Spread”. Bob had many friends and loved his family with all his heart. He was kind, caring and fondly known as Uncle Chicken and a fun loving grandfather figure to his younger sister’s set of twins. Bob was especially funny with his one-liners and loved telling stories. He reached out to people quite often where he enjoyed helping people when he could and wanted nothing in return. Bob had many plans and was confident God was not ready for him as he had a lot of work still to be done. Unfortunately, his cancer thought differently. He will be sadly missed by his loving family and many friends. In his words, he is still “fine as a frog’s hair”. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet L. Bush of Johnstown, OH; children, Robert A. Bush of Johnstown, Heath W. Bush of Johnstown, Ilene K. (Jim) Grubb of Grove City; grandson, Jacob M. Sigismondi of Johnsown; siblings, Fred (Barb) Bush of Boca Raton, FL, Veneda (Dan) Thacker of Johnstown, Hank Bush of Sebring, FL, Doug (Mary) Bush of Orlando, FL, Leslie K. (David) Drury of Jupiter, FL and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Alice Faye Stiltner. Honoring Bob’s wishes cremation will take place. Memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at CROUSE-KAUBER-FRALEY FUNERAL HOME with Elder Marlene Ashbaugh officiating. Memorial visitation will begin one hour prior to the start of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, 460 W. 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210 in Bob’s memory.