Dr. Robert Bushong

WILSON - Dr. Bob Bushong died peacefully on Tuesday, September 06, 2011 at Wilson Medical Center from metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Bob was born in Durham, North Carolina on December 12, 1935. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mable Shelton and Leonard Sylvan Bushong.

A Celebration of Life will be held at West Nash United Methodist Church, Wilson, North Carolina, at 2:00 on Thursday, September 8, 2011 followed by visitation. The committal service and burial will precede the service at Contentnea Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

Dr. Bushong graduated from the University of Florida in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He earned a Masters of Arts Degree from Appalachian State University and a Doctor of Education from the University of Alabama.

His life-long career in education began as a teacher and coach in Miami, Florida at his alma mater, Miami High School. After completing his graduate studies he served as Director of Research and Evaluation in the Mobile (Alabama) School District. In 1974 he became Deputy Superintendent of the Muscogee County School District in Columbus, Georgia, eventually rising to the position of Superintendent of Education. Dr. Bushong retired in 1994. In 2002, he returned to serve as Interim Superintendent for another year. At the end of his service he was named as the first Superintendent Emeritus of the Muscogee County School District. The mayor of Columbus, Georgia acknowledged Bob's service to the education of children and youth and his contributions to the community by proclaiming December 20, 2002 as "Dr. Robert L. Bushong Day".

After moving to Wilson, NC in 2002, Bob became active in the Senior Golfing Association at the Wilson Country Club, served on the Friends of the Wilson County Library, and was an active member of West Nash United Methodist Church. He was an avid Florida Gator football fan.

Bob is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Williamson Bushong and two step-daughters and their families, Sheryl (Stallings) Erickson and husband, Rob of Marietta, Georgia and Missy (Stallings) Clarke and husband, Colonel Matthew Clarke of Holzgerlingen, Germany. "GrandBob" is also survived by four grandchildren, Taylor and Sarah Erickson of Marietta, GA, and Noah and Joshua Clarke of Holzgerlingen, Germany.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to West Nash UMC, Bob Bushong Memorial Project, P. O. Box 8298 Wilson, NC 27893, or a charity of one's choice.