James W. Busch

James W. "Jim" Busch, 86, died on Friday, September 7, 2012, after a battle with lung and heart disease. He was born on June 26, 1926, to the late Andrew and Ruth (Peterson) Busch in Superior, Wisconsin. Jim earned a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He served his country in the United States Navy until his honorable discharge in 1945. 

On December 9, 1944 Jim married D. Jean Fross. Jean preceded him in death on February 23, 1982. On June 12, 1993 he married Mary Stofferan. 

Jim taught junior high and high school math and science. He worked for the Wisconsin State Department of Public Instruction in Madison, and he wo rked for the Ford Foundation in Beirut, Lebanon. The last portion of Jim's career was at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay where he was an associate professor. He taught education and physics, he supervised student teachers, and he was chair of the education department. 

Jim was an avid outdoorsman and a skilled hunter. He was an expert gardener; he won awards for the dahlias he grew, and he kept a large vegetable garden. He enjoyed working on home improvement projects. He also loved to travel, and he and his family visited many countries in Europe and the Middle East, and many states in the U .S. 

Jim was a devoted husband and father. He spent as much time as he could with his children and grandchildren, teaching them life skills and playing with them. He was always supportive of his family in their interests and pursuits. 

Jim's Christian faith was the theme of his life. His faith was much more than a religion; it was his way of life. He taught his family, by his example and by his words, that following Christ is life's highest priority. He was a dedicated churchman; he taught many adult Sunday school classes and Bible studies, and he held several church leadership positions. 

Jim was involved in politics; he was an active member of the Brown County Republicans. He was especially committed to standing up for the unborn. 

Survivors include his wife, Mary, Green Bay; his son, Andy (Kim) Busch, Galesburg, Illinois; two stepchildren, Craig Stofferan and Rhona Stofferan, both of Green Bay; five grandchildren, David Busch, Peter (Judy) Busch, Jean (Andrew) Clarenson, all of Bloomington, Illinois, Joseph Busch, Galesburg, Illinois, and Michael Freedman, Madison; two brothers, Lloyd (Rhoda) Busch, Green Bay and Donald (Loretta) Busch, Duluth, Minnesota; two nieces and five nephews; a daughter-in-law, Ruth Busch, Mineral Point. 

In addition to his parents and his first wife, Jean, Jim was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard and Robert; a daughter, Elizabeth Jean; a son, LeRoy Clinton and a granddaughter, Amy Joy. 

Visitation will be held at Graceway Fellowship, 1750 Dousman Street, on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 from 4:00 pm until the funeral service at 7:00 pm with Pastor Rick Schulze and Pastor Gerry Mathisen officiating. Military honors will follow. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Little Suamico. Online condolences may be expressed at the Lyndahl website. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Jim's name. 

A special thank you to Dr. Jeremy Green of Prevea, Dr. Burton of Bellin, Dr. Wang of Aurora, Dr. Johnson of St. Vincent, Dr. Scott Westenberg of Aurora, the nursing staff at Bellin, Aurora and St. Vincent Hospitals, the Paramedics of 911, Chaplain Pat at St. Vincent, Bellin 2nd floor and all the others involved in Jim's care. 

(Obituary published in the Green Bay Press-Gazette on September 9, 2012; reprinted with permission from Kevin Corrado, president and publisher, Green Bay Press-Gazette.)