Helmut William Busch

Helmut William Busch January 14, 1936 - November 24, 2023 Born in Berlin, Germany, to an American Mother and a German Father (who died Christmas 1945 in a Russian prisoner-of-war camp). A survivor of Berlin's wartime bombings, he came to America with his mother and sister in November 1950 to the small farming community of Fowler, California. They lived with his mother's brother and family who earlier had moved to America from Germany. His education included graduating from Fowler High School, Humboldt State University, UC Berkeley, a M.Div. Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS), Berkeley, May 1965; and a D.Min. PLTS, Berkeley, May 1981. He served in the U.S. Army from 1959-1961 as a chaplain's assistant. He was married to Nancy Stenson in June 1961 until her passing in 2003. Rev. Busch served as a Parish Pastor for 28 years (1965-1993) in both ELCA and LCA, all in California. St. James Lutheran, Richmond; Grace Lutheran, Glen Avon (Riverside); Nazareth Lutheran, Turlock; St. Stephens Lutheran, El Dorado Hills; and Trinity Lutheran, Fort Bragg. A published author for the Lutheran Church in America 1982-1983. Received ecclesiastical endorsement for specialized ministry by the ELCA and the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, December 1994. A fellow in the College of Chaplains, now the Association of Professional Chaplains, and a Board-Certified Hospital Chaplain. Served in Hospital Chaplaincy for 18 years (1993-2011) all in California with Fresno Community Hospital 1993-1996, Sierra View District Hospital, Porterville 1996-2006, and Tulare Regional Medical Center, Tulare 2006-2011. Was a member of the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities; served as Ethics Committee Chairperson at Tulare Regional Medical Center. Served as Hospice Chaplain with Optimal Hospice for Tulare, Kings, and Fresno Counties from December 1996 - June 2007. Certified Bereavement Counselor certification achieved in 2006, by completing bereavement studies at The Center of Loss and Life Transition, Fort Collins, CO. He conducted bereavement support classes at Sierra View District Hospital and Tulare District Hospital/Tulare Regional Medical Center for many years. While living in Porterville, served as a Teacher of Parent University on behalf of Porterville Adult School and Sierra View District Hospital. Formed the Porterville Area Wellness Service Inc.; a member of the Tulare-Kings Counties Immunization Coalition; served as the president of the Bereavement Support Group Board, and a member of the All-America City Conference Committee, secured a $15,000 grant through "Safe from the Start of the Porterville area" (addressing domestic violence issues). Bill received a Paul P. Harris Award from the Rotary Club of Porterville; the Tulare County Youth Coalition's Service to Youth Appreciation Award in 2002; and The Spirit of Freedom Award in 2005 which is an annual award presented to a person or organization that has made significant contributions to the community of Porterville. Bill moved to Visalia in April 2004 upon his marriage to Gillian Keith. In 2011 he became a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Visalia. He sang in the choir for a few years, regularly attended the weekly Old Men's Coffee gatherings, and CLC Men's Bible study groups. He was known (and heard throughout the hospital) for singing Amazing Grace to patients and/or happy birthday to patients and staff. On June 10, 2011, he retired at 75.5 years old as Chaplain from Tulare Regional Medical Center, Tulare. Throughout his life, Bill was a gentle and loving soul, a joyful child of God who made a difference in the many lives he touched. He is preceded in death by his parents Karl and Elfriede, his sister Irmgard Kocher. Survived by his nephew Eldon Kocher, cousins in California, Texas, and Germany, Nancy's sister Betty Stromfeld, his wife Gillian, daughter Hillary and son-in-law Mark Martinez, sister-in-law Karen Depew, and many loved ones and dear friends. The family expresses their gratitude to the entire staff of Delta Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Visalia, and Infinite Heart Hospice for their care and compassion during the last 28 months of Bill's life. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Saturday, January 13, at 11:00 am, ?Christ Lutheran Church, Visalia, interment in the CLC Memorial Garden on the church campus, and a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Food Link for Tulare County (www.foodlinktc.org ) or Christ Lutheran Church Celebration of Life or a preferred charity. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.