Leonard Emanuel Busch Jr.'s Obituary
Leonard Emanuel Busch, Jr. was born April 11, 1930, to Leonard Emanuel and Ester Paulina Busch, Sr. of San Diego, California. On May 25, 1930, he was brought into the family of God through baptism at Grace Lutheran Church, San Diego. He was confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, La Mesa on June 9, 1946. Leonard was a multi-sport athlete at Grossmont High School, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track; he graduated in 1947. At Grossmont, he met Laura (Peggy) Vance, whom he married on October 1, 1950. At age 20, Leonard began his Army service. He attended Basic Training in El Paso, Texas, Radio School in Pasadena, CA, and served as Radio Operator in Germany in support of the Korean War. He went into the Reserves in 1953, and was discharged in June 1956. After receiving his Teaching Credential from San Diego State College, he began his teaching career at Helix High School. In 1958, he traveled to New York with his family where he attended Columbia University for a year on a Fellowship. After receiving his Master’s Degree from Columbia, he returned to Helix High School as a Guidance Counselor In 1968, he traveled a second time with his family across the country, this time to Gainesville, Florida, to work on his doctorate at the University of Florida on a Fellowship. Upon his return to San Diego, Leonard served as a principal and then Superintendent of the Adult School program for Grossmont Union High School District. After retirement from the Grossmont School District, he worked as a lobbyist in Sacramento for the California Council for Adult Education (CCAE) in Sacramento. From there he moved to Martinez, California and worked for the Adult School. In 1989, after his stint in Martinez, he served as the Dean of Development at Concordia University, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. On their way back to California, Leonard and Peggy stopped in Lacey, Washington, where they stayed for a few years. They finally made their way back to California and settled in Oceanside. After Peggy’s death in 1999, Leonard spent time in Oklahoma (Tulsa Lutheran School Association) and Texas, working with Lutheran elementary schools as Interim Principal. Leonard spent the last few years of his life at Redwood Terrace in Escondido, California. Among his hobbies was fishing, as well as a lifelong love of construction and gardening, as reflected in the building of the family home in Fletcher Hills, and the planting of a virtual orchard in the home’s back yard. Leonard especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and sharing his faith with them. His love of Jesus inspired him to be a dedicated supporter of mission work. He is predeceased by his wife Peggy, his son Lenny and his parents Leonard and Ester. He is survived by his brother, Edward Busch; his sons Larry Busch and Lewis (Edy) Busch; his daughters Laurie (Dan) Spellacy, Lindy Ackerly, Lissa (Bob) Barber and Leah (Tim) Morner; grandchildren Hannah, Michael, Christopher, Shannon, Jenna, Joshua, Lauren (Tyler), Katie, Kristin (Nate), Mandi, Johnny, Andrew (Lauren), and Sarah; and daughter-in-law Freida Busch. Leonard Emanuel Busch received his crown of glory on Thursday, December 22, 2016, at the age of 86 years, 8 months. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017, at 1:00 pm, at Christ Lutheran Church in La Mesa, California. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Lutheran Bible Translators at us.lbt.org, Lutheran Missions at LCMS.org/international, Or Christ Lutheran School Scholarship Fund
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