Robert William Bussen

Bob was born to Victor Julius Bussen and May Coma (Spicer) Bussen in East St. Louis, MO on January 6, 1931. The Bussens moved to Caseyville, IL where Bob attended Caseyville Elementary School. He attended Collinsville Township High School where he was a member of Monogram Club, lettering in tennis and football. He was active in Scouting and attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1948. Upon graduation in 1949 he worked at his family's dry -cleaning business, Caseyville Cleaners, and attended McKendree College in Lebanon, IL. He was a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He was a Corporal on active duty with the USMC until the death of his father, which necessitated his honorable discharge as the sole surviving child of his family in May of 1951. In November of 1951 he married his high school sweetheart Marilyn -"Mike" - Haig. He studied accounting at Belleville Jr. College and Rubicam Business College at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. He was employed as a General Ledger Accountant at Rayette Manufacturing in St. Louis, MO until 1953 when he joined Ozark Airlines where he served in several accounting and management positions. Life in Caseyville included being a member of the Lion's Club, being a father to two children - Pam and Mark - and spending time with his mother and her husband Walter Gindler. Bob was an in-law member of the "Haig Clan" and was much loved by "Mike's" mother and father, her 7 sisters and 1 brother, and 10 nieces and nephews. He and "Mike" remained friends with a group from high school that met monthly at each other’s homes to socialize and play games. They also were regulars at square dances held at the Caseyville School gym and were active members of Caseyville United Methodist Church. In 1962 Bob became the Director of Revenue Accounting for Allegheny Airlines in Washington, DC. Bob, "Mike", Pam and Mark moved to Alexandria, VA. The family was actively involved with church activities at St. John's United Methodist Church in Springfield, VA. Bob could be found behind the plate as an umpire at Mark's little league baseball games or timing races at Pam's swim meets. He also served on numerous airline industry related committees and was the President, Secretary and Treasurer of Allegheny Airlines Federal Credit Union. With the merger of Allegheny, Lake Central, and Mohawk Airlines Bob moved to Anchorage Alaska in 1977 to serve as Director of Accounting for Wein Air Alaska. Bob became the Comptroller of Air Florida in 1978. Bob, "Mike", and Mark moved to Miami, FL. In 1979 Bob began employment with Eastern Air Lines in Miami where he served in numerous accounting positions until his retirement in 1994. Bob was very active in the Miami Elks Lodge #948 serving as the Secretary, and on the Building Committee. In 1999 Bob and "Mike" moved to St. Cloud, FL. Bob and "Mike" attended First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud and were active in the Eastern Star and the Masonic Lodge. Bob was a 33d Degree Mason and served as the Secretary of Lodge #221 in St. Cloud, FL. From 2001-2006 Bob worked in various positions at the Wal Mart in St. Cloud. In November 2021 Bob and "Mike" moved to Kissimmee to be nearer their children who provided full time care. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of over 70 years, "Mike" - (Marilyn Fay Haig) and his 7 sisters in-law and 1 brother in-law. He is survived by his children Pamela (Bussen) Zaresk and Robert Mark Bussen both of Kissimmee. His surviving 8 nieces and nephews in-law and numerous grand nieces and nephews in-law reside in various locations throughout the country. Graveside services and internment will be at Caseyville Cemetery in Caseyville, IL at an undetermined date. Memorial Donations may be made to the Shriner's Children's Hospital.

Robert William Bussen

January 6, 1931 - May 11, 2024