Rod Bush in Hall of Fame

[ALB]

The late Rod Bush was inducted into the AMA Hall Of Fame on Friday November 16th at the ceremony held in Las Vegas. The following is information about Rod - obtained from the AMA news release.

The late Rod Bush helped establish and grow KTM North America and served as company president from 1987 until his death in 2005.

Born July 6, 1955, in Huntington, W.Va., Bush rode his first hare scrambles in 1970 and three years later opened a Penton dealership in Parkersburg, W.Va., with his father. In 1976, Bush started working for Penton Imports as a sales representative. In 1978, Bush left Penton Imports to help form KTM America, later KTM North America, with Jack Lehto.

Bush took the position of KTM North America president in 1987 when the company was selling about 2,500 motorcycles a year. When Bush died in 2005, KTM North America sold approximately 28,000 units annually and had 140 employees.

Bush was represented at the induction ceremony by his wife Cheri Bush and daughter Stacy Bush.

"It is with tremendous pride and joy for our family to see Rod be inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame," said Cheri Bush, after she accepted Rod Bush's Hall of Fame ring on his behalf. "The outpouring of love, support and friendship that is in this room is unbelievable. Rod would have been so honored and humbled to receive such recognition from his peers."

Rod was a POG member and supporter for the POG. It is wonderful to have him receive this award. [8D]

Alan Buehner

[hankthecrank]

Thanks Al for the news. Rod is very deserving of this honor. I remember him as a very passonate motorcyclist. And I was very envious of his stable of Pentons in high school. Hank

Hank Rinehart