Robert Ray Bush, 77, Lyndon, Kan., formerly of Osawatomie, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 1995, at the Hilltop Nursing Home in Lyndon.

Bob, as he was known, was born March 9, 1918, at Osawatomie, the son of Norwood Douglas and Bertha T. Taylor Bush. He grew up and attended school in Osawatomie, graduated with the Classs of 1938.

He served with the United States Army and Navy. He first enlisted in the Army and was later called to duty with the Navy at the beginning of World War II.

After returning from the war, he made his home with his parents. He continued to live in the family home at 410 Pacific Avenue after the death of his parents. Due to heavy fighting and trauma of the war, Mr. Bush became, what was termed at the time, shell shocked.

After the death of his mother in October, 1966, a curator was named to take care of his financial affairs. He gave up independent living the mid-1970s and went to a nursing facility at Seneca, after a short stay at the Veterans Administration facility at Topeka.

Desiring to return to Eastern Kansas, he later stayed at Burlington, Overbrook and Lyndon. He had lived at the Hilltop nursing facility since the early 1980s. He enjoyed the weekend visits that he and Ken Weide, his curator, would make in trips to Topeka, Osawatomie, Lake Melvern and Lake Pomona.

He like eating out and going sightseeing. His sister, Vivien Dolan, and her husband, Bill, also made several trips to see him and took him out to eat and for rides. He was proud to have his brother-in-law share his magic with the other residents at the Hilltop home.

Several individuals served as his curator between 1966 and 1970, including George Hunsperger and Louis Hart. Ken Weide was appointed in August 1970 and continued to be his guardian and conservator until the time of his death.

Mr. Bush was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Osawatomie. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Post 204.

Others preceding him in death besides his parents were two brothers, E. S. Bush and William Parker Bush, and a sister, Pauline Sims, Houston.

Surviving are his sister, Vivien Dolan of Shawnee, and many nieces and nephews.

Services were at 11 a.m. Friday at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. The Rev. Lee Wiersma officiated. Rosalie Bowker was organist. Hazel Wilhoite sang "I Know My Redeemer Lives" and "Amazing Grace."

Burial was in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Military services were conducted at graveside by the Osawatomie American Legion and VFW posts. Pallbearers were Ken Weide, Harold Cartwright, John David Cole, Kenneth Crouch, Ernest Jones and Charles Heckart.

Memorials may be made in his name to the church.