Harold Busch

Harold E. Busch, 92, of Fort Collins, died Dec. 19, 2005, at his residence. Mr. Busch was born June 11, 1913, in Lafayette to Elmer J. Busch and Lena Magdelena Amen Busch, and graduated from Lafayette High School 1931. He started working for Standard Oil in Longmont in 1931. Harold became the wholesale distributor for Standard Oil of Indiana July 8, 1935, in Fort Collins. He married Margarete Emslie on Oct. 15, 1938. Harold was on the board of directors for the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce in 1955, 1956 and 1957. He also helped organize and was director of University National Bank in Fort Collins in 1962. He was also named director of Poudre Valley National Bank, on Aug. 26, 1963, which later became United Bank of Fort Collins. Harold retired Aug. 1, 1968, from Standard Oil. He was later named director of the Pat Griffin Company in 1969. He and his wife moved to Estes Park in 1968, and resided there for 26 years before moving back to Fort Collins. Harold and Margarete also resided in Arizona for several years, and enjoyed traveling abroad and in their motor home throughout the United States and Canada. Harold was a woodworker after retirement, making beautiful grandfather clocks. He enjoyed many sports and boating. He was became a member of the B.P.O. Elks, No. 804 in Fort Collins in 1935. He was the Exalted Ruler from 1942 to 1943, becoming the youngest Exalted Ruler in the United States. Harold was also the oldest living member of the B.P.O. Elks in Fort Collins. He became a trustee from 1943-45 and became a life member in November 1975. Harold was also a member of the Fort Collins and Estes Park Masonic Lodge, and the Knights of the Belt Buckle in Estes Park. He was past president of the Fort Collins Lions Club, and past president of the Larimer County chapter of the El Jebel Shrine. Surviving Harold is his wife, Margarete, of Ft. Collins; a son, Jerry J. Busch and his wife, Lois, of Centennial; one daughter, Janet Clodfelder and her husband, Stuart, of Fort Collins; three grandchildren, Carin Clay, of Fort Collins, Clay Busch, of Centennial, and Kellan Busch of Centennial. Also surviving are two great-grandchildren, Steven and Sarah Batt, of Fort Collins. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Mr. Busch is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, William J. and Robert H. Busch; and a grandchild, Curtis Vetter. A memorial service will be held in the spring in Estes Park.