Rotarians and Rotaractors- As I sit down to reflect on the month of August, I'm overwhelmed. I'm overwhelmed, mostly, with pride. I think about all of the good that YOU have done this month. The  evidence is in the inspiring stories you will read here in this newsletter. 

I'm also overwhelmed by a sense of sadness and loss. On August 10th, we lost our beloved Past District Governor Judy Bush. Our District will never be quite the same. Judy was a mentor of mine and she told me often that she was proud of me. Have you told someone that lately? Please do. 

And please make sure that you take the time to read the wonderful article on Judy- her impact on our District and on the world will be felt for generations to come. 

***

 Remembering Judy Bush

by Jim Bright, Global Scholar Chair, Bloomington Rotary Club

After 46 years in jobs ranging from math teacher to school superintendent, Judy Bush retired in 2011, moved to Heltonville to be closer to their daughter and joined Bedford Rotary.

Judy and her husband, fellow Rotarian John Bush, had been in Attica, Indiana where they had been members of the Attica-Williamsport Rotary Club. Judy had served as the club’s president twice and in a number of district roles. 

After arriving in District 6580, Judy hit the ground running and, for the next nine years, refused to slow down.  

With her experience and enthusiasm, Judy quickly became an important part of the Bedford Rotary Club, serving as club secretary and contributing a weekly article about her club’s activities to the local newspaper.

She loved Rotary’s youth programs, and she became a leader of our District’s Rotary Youth Exchange program, working with students going to other countries for a year or coming here to experience life in America.

In 2017-18 Judy was our District Governor, serving our clubs in southern Indiana. She worked with northern and central Indiana districts to put together an All-Indiana Conference in Indianapolis – the first time that all three districts had come together for a joint conference since 1938. Sadly, her efforts were interrupted briefly by major surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. She bounced back in time to enjoy the wonderful 2018 conference. 

As district governor, Judy also was the driving force behind the launch of our district’s Global Grant Scholarship program which, in the past three years, has provided $120,000 in scholarships for graduate students to study at universities outside North America.   

“Judy had a passion for young people, and she was especially passionate about Rotary Youth Exchange and our District’s Global Grant Scholars program,” says Santhana Naidu, who succeeded Judy as district governor. “Judy loved her club and the district, and she enjoyed attending district conferences which provided opportunities to see old friends and make new friends. 

“Judy was a multi-level Paul Harris Fellow and Major Donor, and she considered The Rotary Foundation the fuel that powers Rotary’s many good works in our communities and across the globe.” In June 2020, she was recognized with the Orphie Bridges Award recognizing her strong commitment to Rotary at the club and district levels and for her humanitarian service and active involvement in helping others through Rotary.   

Judy also served on the boards of Teachers Warehouse, MCUM (Monroe County United Ministries) and on the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Lutheran Church.

After a courageous three-year battle with cancer, Judy passed away August 10. She was 77. Because of the pandemic, a celebration of life will take place later. 

Her final resting will be in the St. Thomas Lutheran Church Columbarium. Donations in her memory can be made to The Rotary Foundation (www.rotary.org), St. Thomas Lutheran Church, MCUM or Teachers Warehouse (https://teacherwarehouse.org).