Dr. Arthur Story Bushing

Dr. Arthur S. Bushing, longtime English professor and administrator at Maryville College, passed away at his home in Maryville on Oct. 29. He was 86. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m., Sun., Nov. 2, at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home in Maryville. The graveside service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Mon., Nov. 3 at the Maryville College Cemetery, with the memorial service following at 3:30 p.m. at Maryville’s Highland Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Wendy Neff will officiate. Born in Oroville, Wash., in 1922, Dr. Bushing spent much of his childhood in Jamestown, Tenn., graduating from Alvin C. York Institute in 1939. He enrolled at Maryville College that fall and graduated four years later with a major in English and minors in mathematics and physics. It was at Maryville where he met Dorothy Barber Bushing, his loving and devoted wife of 64 years. Dr. Bushing was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Samuel Bushing and Arza Story Bushing. In addition to his wife, survivors include son A. Stuart Bushing and wife Jan Sullivan of Nashville; daughter Barbera Bushing and partner Bonnie Rose of Asheville, N.C.; daughter Kathryn Bushing Banfield and husband Thomas of Forest City, N.C.; daughter Jennifer Bushing Hill and husband Albert of Maryville; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Dr. Bushing’s teaching career at Maryville College began in 1943, when he was hired as an instructor of physics. But he soon answered a call to active duty in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the European Theatre. He earned the Bronze Star in addition to the Battle of the Rhineland and the Battle of Central Europe medals. In 1947, he returned to his alma mater as an assistant professor of English. By that time, he had studied for a summer at the Sorbonne and had begun work on a master’s degree at the University of Tennessee. He earned his master’s degree in 1948 and continued his education over the next 20 years at the University of Iowa, Duke and other universities. At Maryville College, his teaching load frequently included courses in 17th and 18th Century British Literature and an upper-level course entitled “The Novel in English.” He chaired the department on three separate occasions. Numerous Maryville College students were taught from his Manual of Outlining and Research. Over the years, Dr. Bushing’s research interests included William Shakespeare, Henry Fielding and World War I hero Alvin C. York, whom Dr. Bushing knew personally in Jamestown. His unpublished works include “Life in Uncle Sam’s Army, WWII,” “Alvin C. York: Hero and Educator,” “York’s Longest Battle” and “Henry Fielding’s Library.” In 1957, Dr. Bushing was asked to divide his time between academics and administration when he was tapped to become the College’s Dean of Men, a position he held for eight years. He was asked to direct the College’s Summer School in 1968, a position he held for nine years. In 1973, he initiated the Continuing Education Program, directing it for five years. And for three years, faculty looked to him to coordinate the Freshman Inquiry Program. He retired from teaching in 1996, but he and Dorothy continued to be active in the life of the College, participating in and attending various college functions, assisting the College’s Advancement Division and serving as College historians. Dr. Bushing was also an active member of Highland Presbyterian Church, serving as Elder and Sunday School teacher for many years. The Bushings were charter members of Highland. He was recognized by the College with an honorary doctor of letters degree in 1991, and in 2000, was presented the Maryville College Medallion, the highest honor bestowed by the College. In presenting the award eight years ago, President Gerald W. Gibson praised the former faculty member’s service: “His devotion is unceasing and his support untiring. He did far more than was asked of him and far more than could have been expected.” In recognition of his nearly 50 years of service at the College, Dr. Bushing was recently recognized as a “Legend of Anderson Hall,” a project commemorating the outstanding faculty and staff who spent at least 25 years working at the College, mostly in Anderson Hall, the College’s oldest building. Upon hearing the news of the former faculty member’s passing on Thursday, Gibson said Dr. Bushing touched many lives on campus, including his own. “During my first year at Maryville I invited Art Bushing to lunch to get his insight and advice as I began my service at the College,” Gibson said. “He was both frank and friendly, and it was clear that he knew thoroughly the Maryville College story, knew its people and its core values. At the end of our hour together I felt that my understanding of Maryville College had been immensely enhanced. “In the years since I have valued Art’s counsel, his involvement with his alma mater, and his unsurpassed love for this place,” the president continued. “As I’ve traveled around the country visiting with alumni, the two names that I’ve heard most often are those of Art Bushing and [former history professor] Arda Walker, two true Maryville giants. I feel privileged to have known them both.” Memorials may be made to the Arthur S. Bushing Scholarship Fund at Maryville College, c/o Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Pky., Maryville, TN 37804; and Highland Presbyterian Church, 721 E. Lamar Alexander Pky., Maryville, TN 37804. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com