Rod Bush passed away the evening of September 12th after a brief illness near his Vermillion, Ohio home. He was surrounded by his wife Cheri and their children Robbie and Stacy. In addition to his immediate family, Rod's countless friends, colleagues and worldwide KTM family mourn his passing. He was 50 years of age.Rod Bush was born in Huntington, West Virginia on July 6th, 1955. As a young man he was drawn to the sport of off-road enduro/cross-country racing, immediately becoming one of the sport's most accomplished competitors. Rod's six ISDE medals along with his countless enduro and cross-country victories place him in an elite group of national caliber off-road racers from the 1970's and early 80's. From the very beginning of his career Rod Bush was synonymous with Penton/KTM motorcycles.
In 1971 Rod began his motorcycle business career as a Penton motorcycle dealer, after which he joined forces in 1978 with KTM America as a service technician. By 1988 Rod was appointed President of KTM America and helped lead the company through a worldwide corporate restructuring, eventually becoming President of KTM North America. Rod was not only the driving force behind KTM's rise to prominence in North America, but he has played a central role in KTM's development as one of the most prestigious manufacturers of motorcycles in the world. As a Managing Director for the KTM Group parent company and the KTM factory in Austria, Rod's legacy is evident throughout every aspect of KTM's global organization.
Rod Bush was a true KTM "Orange Bleeder" long before KTM became synonymous with the color orange. He truly defined KTM's leadership values and the essence of a passionate family and motorcycle life.
Source: KTM North America
ROD BUSH, AMA BOARD MEMBER, DIES AT 50
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that Rod Bush, president of KTM North America and a corporate member of the AMA Board of Directors, died the evening of September 12 after a brief illness. He was 50.
Bush, of Vermillion, Ohio, became an AMA Board member in February. He was named president of KTM America in 1988 and later served as the president of KTM North America, guiding the company through a period of rapid growth. During Bush's tenure, the U.S. market became the largest for KTM motorcycles in the world.
"Rod Bush made significant contributions during his brief service on the AMA Board of Directors, but even more significant were his contributions to the entire motorcycling community. His commitment and enthusiasm for motorcycling will be missed by all," said AMA President Robert Rasor. "The AMA offers its condolences to Rod's family and his extended family at KTM."
An avid racer himself, Bush guided KTM's U.S. racing program to several off-road AMA titles and re-established the marque as a force in AMA motocross and Supercross racing.
Born in Huntington, West Virginia, Bush became an accomplished off-road competitor in his own right. He was a veteran of the International Six Days Enduro, winning gold, silver and bronze medals. From the very beginning of his career, Rod Bush was synonymous with Penton and KTM motorcycles.
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Founded in 1924, the AMA is a non-profit organization with more than
260,000 members. The Association's purpose is to pursue, protect and
promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its
members. For more information, visit the AMA website at
www.AMADirectlink.com, or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN. For the latest news
releases, visit the AMA News Room at http://home.ama-cycle.org/newsroom.
Source: American Motorcyclist Association