Obituary of Ralph E. Bush

Ralph Edward “Scott” Bush was born on 12 November 1923 in Bloomington, Indiana and passed away peacefully in his sleep on 25 April 2023 in Sun City Center, Florida.  He was 99. 

Scott was the last surviving member of the World War II elite First Ranger Special Forces Battalion and part of the WWII 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 Florida 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 at Sun City Center here. 

Scott will be laid to rest at the Sarasota National Cemetery with full military honors.