RALPH A. BUSH

It is with our deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Ralph Albert Bush, age 71, on November 9, 2023 in Wilkes Barre General Hospital after a long battle with myelofibrosis (rare blood cancer) and several other diseases.  He fought the cancer for seven years.

Ralph was born in Plymouth, PA on April 21, 1952 to Ruth A. Bush (Meyers).  Ralph grew up in Plymouth and attended Plymouth elementary schools, Wyoming Valley West High School in Kingston and Westside Tech in Pringle.  Ralph married Jeanne Lechak in 1971.  They lived in Beaumont for a few years then moved to Courtdale where they raised their two sons Ralph and Randy.

Ralph worked in machine shops all his career.  He worked at R&H Manufacturing, Edwardsville as a machinist followed by shop foreman from 1971 to 1990 producing all sorts of machined components for various industries.  He then moved onto Ashley Machine NUCO Division and worked there from 1990 to 2017 as dayshift foreman producing parts for the aerospace industry.  He came full circle and concluded his machine shop career where it all started, at R&H Manufacturing from 2017 until 2023 as a full time then part time quality control inspector.  Ralph and his wife Jeanne started a small machine shop called Sidestreet Metal in the mid 1980’s.  Ralph designed and produced several prototypes for couplings along with one-off machining fixtures used in the cam & groove coupling industry along with small batch production work of specialized couplings and misc. parts.  They both worked their full time jobs in the day and then worked nights and weekends at their own shop mainly to make extra money to give their two sons a good life and go on some vacations, most notable their first jet plane ride to vacation at Disney World.

Ralph enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors in general.  He took both sons hunting with him even before they were old enough to hunt themselves.  The famous “moose call” could often be heard in the woods (Ralph and Randy know all about this).  He was interested in military history and local coal mining history.  He and his wife were involved in LCP Little League (coached) and Cub Scouts when their boys were young.  He was involved in the Masons for several years.  He enjoyed spending time with his family.  He and Jeanne rode motorcycles when they were in better health.  Ralph also enjoyed going to flea markets, yard sales and antique stores looking for good finds.  Family vacations camping at Wildwood, Washington D.C. trip, Gettysburg trip, Knobels, Fairs, visits to “Rock Bottom” and all the site seeing day trips made for great memories.

Ralph passed on his skills and knowledge of machining, carpentry, automotive repair, plumbing, electrical, mechanical skills and general jack-of-all-trade skills to his sons - who today greatly appreciate and use that knowledge - except for the infamous 4th of July black powder episode that ended in singed hair and an unplanned haircut for Dad.  Ralph was always a kind-hearted person with a smile on his face who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life.

Ralph was preceded in death by his mother Ruth A. Bush (Meyers), sister Dorothy A. Hudak (Bush), nephews Jay and Jeff Hudak, grandparents Stewart and Elizabeth Meyers, his namesake Uncle Ralph E. Meyers, uncles Stuart, Thomas, George and Wilbur Meyers; aunt Myrtle (Meyers).  Mother and Father-in-law John and Anna Lechak, sister-in-law Ann Marie Lechak.

Ralph is survived by his wife Jeanne, sons Ralph and Randy, Erin (wife of Randy); Gracie & Tater (pugs) and several cats.  Cousins Bob Meyers (who Ralph thought of as his brother), Tom Meyers (Doris), Fay Geisinger (Bob); brother-in-law Gerald Hudak, nephews Gerald Jr., Jason and Justin Hudak and Brian Lechak.

The family would like to thank Dr. Wolanin and Dr. Greenwald for caring for him over the years.

Funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 7:00 pm from the Andrew Strish Funeral Home, 11 Wilson Street, Larksville.

Viewing will be held from 4:00 PM until time of service Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph’s name can be made to Medical Oncology Rx Fund, in person or by mail to Medical Oncology Rx Fund, 382 Pierce Street, Kingston, PA 18704.

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