“In the midst of this onslaught period of change one element of decision making has remained constant, the need for courage to apply moral value ...It is without a doubt the most important ingredient in good management and good design.” -Ben Bush
Ben passed from this life on Sunday January 5, 2025 at Four Seasons Health Care Center with his wife at his side.
Ben was born in Attica, IN on January 15, 1928, the only child of Robert L. Bush and Virginia Leath Bush. He graduated from Attica High School where he formed a dance band and played at the Armory on Saturday nights during WWII. He served as a delegate from Fountain County at Hoosier Boys State. His activities in Music earned him recognition and musical awards.
He is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a member of the Purdue Glee Club, Purdue Band and the band’s publicity chair for a year, hosted a weekly variety radio show on Purdue WBAA, and sang in Modern Moods, a 5 person vocal group. In 1995, Purdue awarded him the honor of Outstanding Electrical Engineer in recognition of his contributions in that field.
Following graduation Ben worked at the Naval Ordinance Plant in Indianapolis, as a civilian engineer. He was given a direct commission in the Navy during the Korean conflict. He was assigned to the Navy Bureau of Ordinance in Washington D.C. where he worked in Research and Development.
He is a graduate of the I.U. Law School with a degree of Dr. of Jurisprudence. He was a member of the Indiana Law Journal and President of Phi Delta Phi law fraternity.
In 1956 Ben Joined Cummins Engine Co. as the first in house attorney for the company. He established the first Law Department and was general council for 26 years. He went on to run the Cummins venture capital investment activity for 9 years.
Church and community were important aspects of his life. He served the church as a deacon, elder, trustee, several national committees and the nominating committee to elect minister Bill Laws as the moderator of the National Presbyterian church.
The most impactful community effort was serving as President and Director of the Columbus Redevelopment Commission during the conception and successful completion of Columbus project one, which in 2023 marked 50 years.
In 1993, Ben, alongside son Rob and friend Jeff Kain, co-founded Orchard Software Corporation in Carmel, IN. Orchard is a company specializing in developing software for diagnostics in medical laboratories.
He was preceded in death by Grandson, Robert Benjamin Bush, III.
Surviving are his wife of 74 years, Patricia Ann Bush; son Robert B. (Debra) Bush, II; daughter, Anne (Warner) Bush Nelson; grandchildren, Kelsey (Jared) Bush Shively, W. Victor Nelson, and Nicholas M. Nelson; and great grandson, Harrison M. Shively.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Felipe Martinez officiating. A reception will immediately follow at the church.
Memorials in Ben’s name should be directed to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 E 17th St., Columbus, IN 47201 or to the First Presbyterian Church Foundation, 512 7th St., Columbus, IN 47201.
Please leave a fond memory of Ben at www.Myers-Reed.com.
