Obituary for Robert W. 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 Ginder. 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.
A Celebration of Bob's Life will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 10:00 am at the Caseyvlle United Methodist Church.
Pastor Mike Barclay will officiate. Burial will follow at Caseyville Cemetery, Caseyville, IL.
To plant a tree in memory of Robert W. Bussen, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Service
Saturday
14
Sep
10:00 AM
Caseyville United Methodist Church
119 West Lincoln Avenue
Caseyville, IL 62232
Cemetery Details
Location
Caseyville Cemetery
109 Hollywood Heights Road
Caseyville, IL 62232
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