Karl Busch, 87

William Charles Bush was born to Albert and Pearl (Heth) Bush on January 18, 1935 at 12:15 a.m. in Valentine, on his great grandma Pete’s 80th birthday. His childhood years through the age of 12 were lived on the family ranch seven miles southwest of Valentine. His mom and dad divorced when he was 12, and he moved to Valentine with his mother. He attended town school for 1st through 3rd grade then attended country school by riding his horse Chester three miles to the schoolhouse. He attended 4th through 12th grade in Valentine. After graduation, he spent five years studying for his Master’s Degree in Music and Education at UNL Lincoln. He taught music at the University of Wichita, Kansas for three years. This was followed by six months of advanced study and performance in New York City. That winter, he returned to Valentine, as well as Lincoln, to prepare for his upcoming trip. In April, 1963, he began his 19-month-long study throughout Europe. He spent six months studying and performing in Vienna. The next two months were spent traveling Greece and Italy. In December, he landed in London and spent six months undergoing more studies and performances. The remainder of his time was spent traveling through France and Spain, but also an extended time spent in Germany visiting with relatives. He returned home to Valentine for six months, it was during this time that he changed his name to Karl William Busch after finding out that relatives in Germany spelled their last name with a “c” after the “s”. He then moved to the San Francisco Bay area in April of 1965 where he spent 15 years doing professional music and studio teaching. He eventually got “tired of the craziness of California” and returned home to Valentine to manage his land that he had leased to family and neighbors along the Niobrara River. He became involved in various community groups and activities as well as performing music at varying venues. For twenty years, he taught music and was involved with various choirs.

Music was life and breath to Karl as were the issues of the county, state, and national government. His involvement with various groups that fought government control proved this, as well as numerous conversations he had with people throughout his long life. Karl was active in getting the Valentine Area Arts Council organized as well as the local food co-op, and even directed a community choir. He was involved in several local plays before the Heart City players became an organized group. He was very devoted to the St. John’s Episcopal Church where he did just about everything except preach the sermon. The number of people he taught and helped musically throughout the years will be treasured by many for years to come. Conversations were always filled with great quality, time, and a bit of humor to lighten the soul. He will be missed by many, but he will always be treasured in the music of the hearts he touched.

Karl passed away at his home in Valentine on July 10, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jack.

Surviving family include local cousins, Twyla Gallino, Kitty (Rick) Vander Wey, and numerous other cousins.

Memorial service was held Friday July 22, 2022 at the United Methodist Church in Valentine with Rev. Steve Meysing officiating. Holmes Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangments.