Richard E Bush

12/25/1932 - 3/28/2017 Richard Ernest "Dick" Bush passed along to a better place March 28, 2017. He was 84 years old. One of the dying breed of "good ole boys", Dick was born in Gentryville, Mo. to Clifton and Geneva Bush Christmas day, 1932. He grew up no stranger to hard work, helping around the familys property until they moved to California in the 1940s. In 1952, at the age of 20, he joined the US Navy and served for 8 years. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and was stationed in places such as Whidbey Island, Wash. and Moffett Field, Calif. He served with the Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron 114 and Air Transport Squadron 3. He was trained in P2V and PB4Y aircrafts and was a combat air crewman and aviation electronicsman. Dick was honorably discharged as ALAN (Aviation Electronicsman L. Airman) in 1959. April 9, 1960 he married the love of his life, Alta Mae Ennis, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dick gained two step-children, Mike and Shirley Chalmers, and then had two sons with Alta, Richard II (Ricky) and Kevin. In 1968 Dicks uncle gifted him with the land in Heron that he had homesteaded in 1920. Dick fell in love with it and the now family of six packed up and moved to Montana. Shortly after they bought the original Bull River Store where they quickly became well known and loved; a feeling that was continued by everyone even after they sold it. Dick was also well known for working for Sanders County for over 20 years. He could always be counted on to be out early clearing snow from the roads, filling pot holes, fixing trucks, or even helping someone out of a ditch. He always went out of his way to help anyone who needed it, family, friends and even strangers. He was especially fond of his grandkids, teaching them to hunt, fish, and the wisdom of the woods. For many years he could be found at Triangle Pond super early on fishing derby day with a pickup truck full of grandkids. He was especially fond of his great-grandkids. If he wasnt with his grandchildren or working on something around his place he could be found having a beer with friends at one of his favorite places; Tobys and The Wild Coyote, where literally everyone knew his name and enjoyed seeing him. Dick was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; his wife, Alta; youngest son, Richard (Ricky); daughter-in-law, Barb; and step-daughter, Shirley. He is survived by his sons, Kevin Bush of Thompson Falls and Mike Bush of Williston, N.D.; granddaughters, Brandi Shaneybrook-McKenzie of Thompson Falls, Rena Bowen of Butte, Amy Olen of Washington, and Shelly Orth of Idaho, most of all by his treasured great-grandchildren, Bobbie and Cinesse McKenzie, Janiece, Aarik, and Chayla Nemes, Emma W., Draycir and Alex Bowen, Troy Olen and Tony and Tyler Orth. Dick was a kind and generous husband, father, grandpa, and friend. He will be greatly missed by everyone. In lieu of services, the family is planning a celebration of life for Dick in Noxon, July 1, 2017.

Service Information Celebration of Life Saturday July 1, 2017 12:16 PM