Dr. John E Bush

Dr. John E. Bush, 97, passed away peacefully on September 25 in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Bush was a gifted teacher, writer and activist and a beloved brother, uncle and friend. He was born in Wellsville, OH at 1217 Anderson Ave. on December 8, 1927. He attended Wellsville Public Schools and graduated from high school in 1946. After having attended Virginia Union University for one year, he went to Delaware State College in Dover, DE and graduated in 1950.

In October 1950, he was drafted into the Army and served until 1952. In 1952 he moved to New Castle, PA where he lived with his friend Wilbur Chambers at the Chambers’ farm in North Beaver Township. While there he attended Westminster College and received his Master of Science degree in Education in 1954. After some effort, he was hired as the first Black teacher in the New Castle Public Schools. He taught Social Studies and was one of the guidance counselors at George Washington Junior High School.

While teaching at George Washington, he later attended the University of Pittsburgh and received his master’s degree in Sociology in 1968. It was during that teaching period that he received his first Fulbright Award which enabled him to travel to the Netherlands where he taught Social Studies (in English) at Thorbecke Lyceum in The Hague for one year. During vacation periods he traveled to several European countries. Doctor Bush went on to earn his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1977, followed by a distinguished career at the University of Massachusetts–Dartmouth as a professor and administrator.

Dr. Bush’s Awards, Recognitions and Accomplishments:

First Black to teach in the Public Schools of New Castle, PA 1954; Fulbright Scholarship to teach in the Netherlands 1958; General Electric Foundation Fellowship in Economics, Rensellaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 1960; Fulbright Fellowship to study and travel in Brazil 1962; Facing America: Regional Council for International Education, Faculty Institute for International Studies, Germany 1971-1972

National Association of Black and White Men Together (an organization dedicated to eliminating racism, sexism and homophobia) Awards: Founding Father 1980, Personal Achievement 1986, Lifetime Achievement 1990, Del Pascavis Spirit 1990, Outstanding Service 1991, Special Achievement 1993, Certificate of Appreciation 1998, Outstanding Service 1999.

University of Massachusetts–Dartmouth: Distinguished Faculty Award 1991, Distinguished Service to the University 1995-1996, Chancellor’s Multi-Culture Award 1996, Professor Emeritus 1999

University of Massachusetts–Boston: Recognition of Distinguished Scholastic Achievement, Celebration of Black Scholarship in New England 1991

Tri-State Black History Museum and Research Team, East Liverpool, OH: Black Achievement Award 2001

Nova Southeastern University Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services: Certificate of Appreciation for devotion and continuous encouragement to Marilyn Banks to achieve her Ed.D. 2001

Greater Boston Lesbian and Gay Political Alliance: Eleanor Roosevelt Human Services Award 1987

UMass-Dartmouth Black Student Union awards: Outstanding Faculty 1986-1987, Professor of the Year 1988, Faculty of the Year 1990

John Hannigan School, New Bedford, MA: Certificate of Award Guest Readers Program 1993

Southeastern Massachusetts University Award in recognition of helping Nelson P. Rivera to achieve his educational goals, his B.A. in Sociology 1986

Dr. Bush was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings. He is survived by his sisters: Virginia Bush Hall (whose husband William Hall recently passed), Marilyn Bush Banks and Roxanna Bush Woodley. He also leaves behind many nephews, nieces, great nephews/nieces, cousins and friends. The family would like to thank home care provider Arelene Williams and great nephew Nasir Acy for the loving and dedicated care they provided Dr. Bush. Dr. Bush will be deeply missed by friends in the National Association of Black and White Men Together, his bookclub friends, and friends at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ.