Ralph E. Bush
November 12, 1923 – April 25, 2023
Ralph Edward “Scott” Bush was born on Nov. 12, 1923, in Bloomington, IN, and passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 25, 2023 in Sun City Center, FL. He was 99.
Scott was the last surviving member of the World War II elite First Ranger Special Forces Battalion and part of the World War II Spearhead Units called Pathfinders. He served in southern France, Germany, Italy and Northern Africa. He survived the Anzio beach invasion and was a POW in Auschwitz. Scott earned a Silver Star, a Purple Heart with two clusters, a Presidential Citation Unit Award, a Meritorious Service Ribbon, the Soldier’s Medal, the French Croix de Guerre, the Europe Africa Mideast Campaign Ribbon with four stars, an Army Commendation medal, an Army Overseas Ribbon, a Victory medal, along with multiple other citations. Scott served in Korea before settling into civilian life in Indiana.
In 1991 Scott retired as an Inspection Engineer from the State of Indiana. He and his beautiful wife, Kathleen “Katie” M. Bush (McKale), moved to Sun City Center, FL, where Scott worked for many years as a volunteer at the hospital and the Sun City Center Security Patrol. He worked for many years at the Community Association’s Fitness Center. He met and established lasting friendships with the entire community through his work and volunteer time. Scott finally fully retired in 2016 at the young age of 93.
Scott is survived by his wife, Katie of 41, years; his daughter, Erin (Rusty) Byrne; grandsons, Shane, Dylan, Aidan; and granddaughter, Bridget, his granddaughter, Jennifer “Jenny” Hallgarth (Cami); and great-grandson, James Theodore “Teddy” Hallgarth.
Scott was preceded in death by his sons, Alan Lee and James Ivan “JI” Bush.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Life Path Hospice here in Sun City Center.
Scott will be laid to rest at the Sarasota National Cemetery with full military honors. A gathering will take place at Sun City Center Funeral Home on May 30 from 3 to 5 p.m.
Scott was the last surviving member of the World War II elite First Ranger Special Forces Battalion and part of the World War II Spearhead Units called Pathfinders. He served in southern France, Germany, Italy and Northern Africa. He survived the Anzio beach invasion and was a POW in Auschwitz. Scott earned a Silver Star, a Purple Heart with two clusters, a Presidential Citation Unit Award, a Meritorious Service Ribbon, the Soldier’s Medal, the French Croix de Guerre, the Europe Africa Mideast Campaign Ribbon with four stars, an Army Commendation medal, an Army Overseas Ribbon, a Victory medal, along with multiple other citations. Scott served in Korea before settling into civilian life in Indiana.
In 1991 Scott retired as an Inspection Engineer from the State of Indiana. He and his beautiful wife, Kathleen “Katie” M. Bush (McKale), moved to Sun City Center, FL, where Scott worked for many years as a volunteer at the hospital and the Sun City Center Security Patrol. He worked for many years at the Community Association’s Fitness Center. He met and established lasting friendships with the entire community through his work and volunteer time. Scott finally fully retired in 2016 at the young age of 93.
Scott is survived by his wife, Katie of 41, years; his daughter, Erin (Rusty) Byrne; grandsons, Shane, Dylan, Aidan; and granddaughter, Bridget, his granddaughter, Jennifer “Jenny” Hallgarth (Cami); and great-grandson, James Theodore “Teddy” Hallgarth.
Scott was preceded in death by his sons, Alan Lee and James Ivan “JI” Bush.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Life Path Hospice here in Sun City Center.
Scott will be laid to rest at the Sarasota National Cemetery with full military honors. A gathering will take place at Sun City Center Funeral Home on May 30 from 3 to 5 p.m.