Rodney Dale Bush, 50, Enjoyed Motorcycling

He was born July 6, 1955 in Huntington, WV. He has been a Vermilion resident for the past 25 years moving from West Virginia.

As a young man he was drawn to the sport of off-road enduro/cross-country racing, immediately becoming one of the sport's most accomplished competitors. Rod's three ISDE medals along with his countless enduro and cross-country victories place him in an elite group of national caliber off-road racers from the 1970's and early 80's. From the very beginning of his career Rod Bush was synonymous with Penton/KTM motorcycles.

In 1971 Rod began his motorcycle business career as a Penton motorcycle dealer after which he joined forces in 1978 with KTM America as a service technician. By 1988 Rod was appointed President of KTM America and led the company through a worldwide corporate restructuring, Rod was the driving force not only behind KTM's rise to prominence in North America but also played a central role in KTM's path to glory as one of the most prestigious manufacturers of motorcycles in the world. As a Managing Director for the KTM Group parent company and the KTM factory in Austria Rod's legacy is evident throughout every aspect of KTM's global organization.

Rod Bush was a true KTM "Orange Bleeder" long before KTM became synonymous with orange. He truly defined KTM leadership values and the essence of a passionate motorcycle life.

He was President of KTM North America and Managing Director of KTM Group. He was a former President of the Vermilion City Planning Commission, on the Board of Directors of the American Motorcyle Association, and a past Little League coach. He enjoyed his family, motorcycling, woodworking, and loved living life to the fullest.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years Cheri (nee Foster); his son, Robert "Robbie" Bush and daughter, Stacy Bush, both of Vermilion; granddaughter, Amaris Anderson-Bush of Oberlin; 2 brothers, Randy Bush of Charlotte, NC and Rick Bush of Parkersburg, WV; father, James D. Bush of Parkersburg, WV; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Margaret L. (nee Smith) Bush.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 15, 2005, from 4-7 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio.

Services will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Saturday, September 17, 2005, at 1:30 pm with Reverend Terry Parker, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion.

Contributions may be made to the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
P. O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486.

Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.