L. F. "Skip" BUSH

L.F. "Skip" Bush South Sound Professional Engineer Skip Bush, 74, passed away peacefully at Regency in Puyallup on March 11, 2010. Skip was the youngest of ten children, and was born in St. Lawrence, South Dakota on July 20, 1935 to Olga Monnington and Royce Ovid Bush, Sr. He attended school in St. Lawrence and Highmore, South Dakota, graduating in 1953. He married Beverly Jean Lusk in 1955. After completing US military service he attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, graduating with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1959. Moving his young family to Seattle later that year, he completed his master's degree from the U of Washington in 1960. He was a Registered Land Surveyor and a Licensed Professional Engineer. Notable engineering projects include the Tacoma Dome, Seattle's Waterfront Center, Foss, South Kitsap and Auburn High Schools, among many, many other structures in the area. Skip's passion for his profession included activity with numerous professional societies. He was Fellow and past President of the Tacoma Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), served as past Chapter and State President, and received a Life Achievement Award from the Structural Engineers Association of Washington (SEAW). He was a Registered Agent representing the Western States Council of Structural Engineers Associations, and was active in the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force as a Structural Specialist. In all areas of his life, Skip was driven with a strong work ethic and respected for rolling up his sleeves and working. He gave his leadership skills, time, energy, passion and resources, accomplishing valuable charitable work throughout South Puget Sound. Skip was a member and past president of Parkland /Spanaway Rotary Club. With perfect attendance for 23 years, he was strongly involved in Rotary activities, and in the leadership and administration of several large charitable projects. Since 1992 he spearheaded and coordinated the Courage Classic event, raising $5-6 million for programs benefiting abused children at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. He was instrumental in establishing the charter for the South Pierce County Boys and Girls Club. He was a strong supporter of B&G Club mission, serving on the steering committee and advisory board. His practical and effective passion for service to the community will be truly missed. He was an avid home gardener, and well-known for including friends and family in his recreational forays: ocean fishing, clam digging, oyster picking, mushroom and berry picking, and camping. He travelled extensively in the western US and beyond. He was deeply devoted to attending family and college reunions, maintaining numerous life-long relations. Many stories tell of his uncanny knack for chance meetings with total strangers everywhere, frequently revealing common friendships and relations bridging both time and distance. He is survived by his wife of 7 years, Helen Randles Bush of South Hill; two daughters, Lynn of Idaho, Laurie (husband Scott) Norris of South Hill; grandson Michael Norris; brothers Royce, Jr. (Ila Mae) of South Dakota, Keith, Sidney (Frances) both of California; sisters Inez (Don) Schade, Betty (Ed) Schaffer, Rose (Joe) Nuhsbaumer, June (Jack) Ehrich, all of South Dakota; numerous nieces and nephews; a large extended family; personal friends, business associates and acquaintances too numerous to count. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, his first wife of 44 years, Beverly, one daughter, two brothers Jim of Illinois, Don of Pennsylvania. His memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 3:00 PM at the Parkland First Baptist Church, 1016 112th Street South, Parkland. At Skip's request, memorial gifts may be directed to the Parkland /Spanaway Rotary Club, PO Box 44572, Tacoma, WA 98448.