Walter Bush - Obituary
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
A resident of Buckeye, Arizona, an international businessman, world traveler and dedicated American Saddlebred breeder, Walter Bush passed away on November 19 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born September 25, 1929 in Dadeville, MO, to Calvin W. and Maude Friend Bush. He is survived by his wife Connie, sister Amanda Margaret Cushman, and sons Danny and Alexander.
Bush spent the 1950s studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, servicing American Military Personnel with life insurance on military bases in Europe and North Africa. He founded his own general agency in Frankfurt, Germany.
In the 1960s Bush moved to Phoenix while maintaining a Zurich home and office and traveling to other agency offices located in Germany, England, Belgium, Spain and Thailand. He was the founder of the American Continental Life Insurance Co. and co-founder of the trade association, Association of Arizona Insurers. In 1974, the American Biographical Encyclopedia named Bush as one of the most prominent personalities in Arizona.
In the 1970s Bush would pursue another of his passions and promptly established himself as a leader in the horse world. A life member of the American Saddlebred Horse Association, he started the Desert Oasis Ranch breeding program in Chandler, AZ. Bush's desire for a better way to research bloodlines created the foundation for the ASHA bloodline database. He was also the co-founder for the American Saddlebred Association of Arizona. Bush stood several prominent sires, including Mountain Highland Memories and Desert’s Supreme Admiral. He was the breeder of CH Memories Citation, the only horse in history to win the Five-Gaited and Three-Gaited World’s Grand Championships.
From the Desert Oasis Ranch breeding program came many top show horses and producers. Among them are Desert’s Supreme Memories the twice Five-Gaited Stallion World’s Champion and one of the top sires today for owner Roberta Rassieur.
Bush was an avid reader and a free thinker. He marched to his own drum, yet willing and sharing with his beliefs and pursuits. He never hesitated to spend his time, energy or money supporting programs and causes that were for the betterment of all.
A Celebration of Life for Bush will be held on December 5th at 4:00 p.m. at the family home in Buckeye.
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