Date of death: 9/30/2016

Saint Meinrad Class: O 1956

Father August A. Busch, 86, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville, died Sept. 30 in Evansville. At the time of his death, he was praying the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary with friends. He served the diocese in pastoral ministry from his ordination in 1956 until his retirement from pastoral ministry in 1996.He was born March 4, 1930, the son of August N. and Anna Busch of Evansville. He attended St. Boniface School in Evansville before entering St. Meinrad Minor Seminary. He graduated from St. Meinrad Minor Seminary in 1948, and earned a bachelorÆs degree in History and Philosophy from St. Meinrad College in 1952. He attended seminary at St. Meinrad, and Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman ordained him a priest of the Diocese of Evansville on May 26, 1956.His priestly assignments included:Assistant Pastor, St. Simon Parish, Washington, 1956Assistant Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Evansville, 1957Teacher, Rex Mundi High School, Evansville, 1964Pastor, St. Martin I Parish, Chrisney, 1965Pastor, Good Shepherd Parish, Evansville, 1970Sabbatical û Christian Leadership Program, University of Notre Dame, 1983Pastor, St. Celestine Parish, Celestine, 1984Temporary semi-retirement, 1987Pastor, St. Bernard Parish, Rockport, 1988.Father Busch also served the diocese as coordinator of the Clergy Assistance Pool from 1989 to 1996.After retiring, Father Busch served as Chaplain for the Poor Clare Sisters at the Monastery of St. Clare in Evansville, where he said daily Mass; and as substitute chaplain for the Daughters of Charity, Seton Manor, where he became an affiliate. He celebrated Mass weekly at Pine Haven Nursing Center in Evansville and continued to celebrate weekend Masses in a substitute role in parishes across the diocese through June 2014. He was active in the Holy Family Fraternity of the Third Order Secular Franciscans, and served as Faithful Friar of the Monsignor A. J. Sprigler Assembly #253 of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.Father Busch was an enthusiastic supporter of the Source Summit Youth Retreat from its beginnings in the Diocese of Evansville. He attended the first retreat, continued to help and support the organizers, and most recently concelebrated the closing Mass of the 2016 retreat on March 13 at Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville.He was an avid University of Notre Dame fan, and enjoyed tennis, photography, baking and skiing.Father Busch was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters-in-laws Charles and Patricia Busch and James and Kitty Busch; sisters and brothers-in-laws Alvira and Phil Mastropolito and Mary Ellen and Charles Stofleth; and sister, Jane Busch.