Former Hickory Springs Exec Bob Bush Sr. Dies

January 4, 2010  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Obituaries on January 5, 2010 Bobby Wesley Bush Sr., 78, who was retired after a long executive career with component supplier Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co., died Saturday in Hickory, N.C., at age 78.

Bush was a chief architect in the foundation and success of Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company, where he spent his entire professional career.

After graduating from Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Ga., as the ranking cadet, Bush then graduated from Duke University, Class of 1953, Phi Beta Kappa. Mr.

Bush spent more than 50 years at Hickory Springs.

That never lessened in those 50-plus years with the company. Longtime family friend Don Coleman, president of Hickory Springs, had this to say about Bush in an inter-company memo: "His compassion for all of those he met was evident," said Hickory Springs President Donald Coleman. "He was more than just a sincere guy, he was always your greatest supporter. Work with him or for him and you knew immediately. He took great pride in the employees who worked for the betterment of the company. Hickory Springs has lost a true pioneer in our business and in the industries we serve. We have so much to celebrate in having him with us for the past seventy-eight years. His legacy is with us, as is evident in what Hickory Springs is today."

Bush also served the home furnishings industry through his board memberships that included the Suppliers Division of the American Home Furnishings Alliance, International Sleep Products Association, Polyurethane Foam Association, the Bienenstock Furniture Library and the American Furniture Hall of Fame.

ISPA's suppliers council awarded Bush the Exceptional Service Award and the McMorran Memorial Award given by the suppliers council within ISPA. He also served as second president of the AFMA Suppliers Council. In 2006, He was inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Jane Blackwood Bush; two sons, Bobby Bush Jr., and Jimmy Bush and wife, Donna, all of Hickory; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Bush Wright of Winchester, Va.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, at the Park Inn, 909 U.S. 70.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Riverside Military Academy, 2001 Riverside Dr., Gainesville, Ga. 30501-1227; Hickory Choral Society, 243 Third Ave. NE, Hickory, N.C.; or Catawba Science Center, 243 Third Ave. NE, Hickory, N.C.