Roger R. Dush, age 74, went home to be with Jesus and his Mom and Dad on Wednesday morning, December 2, 2020. He succumbed to the scourge of Covid which so unfairly stole him from us after only five days; three in the hospital. It is a silent, invasive, destructive, ugly and vicious disease. We had been so very careful. Roger is the beloved son of Bob and Betty Dush.
Roger was well educated with a Master’s degree from Ohio State University and was a loyal lifetime fan. He was a very successful business person having conceived and built, along with his wife, Rita, The Pine Tree Barn and subsequently The Farms at Pine Tree Barn. He planted and grew the most beautiful Christmas Trees; then took great joy in sharing them with all the people who came to make Christmas traditions with him. His biggest and most proud success was his family who all loved and adored him. His gentle, kind, loving, fair and forgiving nature endeared him to everyone. His smile lit up the world. Grampy lived his life with the most profound sense of generosity and care not only for his family but everyone around him. He never failed to make every single person he met feel respected and valued. His gentle, yet extraordinarily powerful presence as a dedicated teacher, role model, husband, father and grandfather will always be a light to guide us and a love for us to feel.
He leaves a grieving family; his wife, Rita, his children Greg Dush and Diana Dush, Tracy Dush and Jered Siebert, Julie and Matt Kilbourne, Tom Cook and Jennifer Murray. Grandchildren, Louise, Andrew, James, Molly, Avery, Lance, Charlie, Caitlyn and was excited for four more, Jen’s kids, Helena, Theo, Izzy and Mikey. Roger’s sisters, Ann and Jim Arndt and their family and Nancy and Randy Hopkins and their family.
Private services and Mass for the immediate family will take place soon. A Celebration of Roger’s extraordinary life for all the many people he touched will be held later this summer when it is safe.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Vincent de Paul at St. Mary, Meals Together at the Methodist Church or the Hope Center of Wooster. Let’s help each other.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Memorial Contributions
n lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Vincent de Paul at St. Mary, Meals Together at the Methodist Church or the Hope Center of Wooster. Let’s help each other.
Service
Private family Services
Visitation
No calling hours
Who knew Roger would make our world a more interesting and creative place with his wonderful
Pine Barn. It took me many years to learn of this mecca of design after living on the East Coast for
so many years (and still there…)Only after moving my mom to a nursing home did I learn of this
cameo prize. Roger must have had such joy as well as dramas as a result of his masterpiece. That his
devoted family may find and continue a bit of the Roger they loved in every future moment of remembering him.
Oh, my heart is indeed heavy, yet full of love, respect and honor for having had Roger in my life at such a wonderful time so many years ago. Love to Rita and all at Pine Tree Barn – such a special place, and such special people who were lucky enough to be part of the Pine Tree Barn family. I hold you all dear, and close to my heart.
I’m so honored to have met Rog, he was an incredibly kind man and I’m so happy he could be a part of my family. He will always have a place in my heart.
So sorry to hear about Roger’s untimely death. He was such a kind, caring person. My deepest sympathy to all his family.
Rita and family,
Words cannot express the sadness I felt when I learned of Roger’s passing. I still cannot believe that it is true. I will always remember working for Roger on the tree farm throughout college. I can see him now with his thick beard and a flannel with one or two yellow labs by his side and an infectious smile on his face. His passion for the outdoors, his love for all things Christmas, and his humble spirit will be missed but never forgotten.
Rita, family, friends and employees of the PTB,
Words of prayers to all of you during this very heartbreaking time! Roger was a very friendly, caring man who always wore a smile! Have comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain and visiting again with his parents in heaven
Love to you all
Our sincere condolences to Rita and family. May Jesus wrap you all in his loving arms and give you peace.
My thoughts and prayers are with Rita and the whole family. So very sorry.
Rita and family. We are so very sorry for your loss. What a kind, generous and people-loving man Roger was. Keeping you all in prayer and extending our deepest sympathies to you all.
Some of my favorite childhood memories are with Tracy and the Dush family at the Pine Tree Barn – I’m so sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. All my best to the family in these difficult times
I was a fraternity brother with Roger at Ohio State. So very sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers for all the family for a sudden loss to a hideous disease.
Roger’s love for his family and life in general was a warm, glowing light in this world. I’ll miss travelling with him. My deepest sympathies go out to all of you who knew and loved him.
Rita and family,
We are so sorry for you loss. Roger leaves an amazing lasting legacy in family and business. We sends prayers for you all.
Linda and Dave
Rita & Family- I’m so sorry about the sudden passing of Roger. You two made a huge impact on my life, and Roger was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. I love you guys. I pray for peace of your mind, heart and soul during this difficult time. Love, Liz
I have so many memories going back to Junior High, including Roger’s siblings and parents. Thank you Roger. Once the Pine Tree Barn opened Mom (Edith Frey), Holly and I used to enjoy going often. After I moved away it was an annual visit when I was home. You who remain are in my prayers as I cherish my own beloved memories.
I never got a chance to meet him, but was an admirer of his farm and legacy! I actually planned to visit this farm this year to gain knowledge of our new little tree farm in Southern Ohio. He left a legacy! Prayers to all! Heaven is a whole lot sweeter!
My deepest condolences to the entire Dush family. I knew Roger through his sister Nancy, we were in school together. Cherish the create moments the he created with the family.
Love, Harriet Shaner Hickman
We were so sorry to learn of the Dush family’s loss. Roger was an amazing man and a true asset to our community.
With heartfelt condolences,
Shannon Waller
Dear Rita & Family: I’m aggrieved to hear of your loss and am sending our best from my family to yours. My family was good friends with your husband’s family and lived next door on Grandview Avenue. I remember Roger so fondly and am so happy I was able to say Hi in 2019 to him. I was the pip-squeak next door neighbor kid on Grandview watching all the Dush older, cooler kids grow up and have fun – I looked up to them. My family had a fruit farm and the Dush family had the tree farm and there was loads in common. Plus, Grandview was one of those place where you could just wander in a house and say hi – especially if you were a kid – and all the Dush kids were very tolerant of me at the table in their home looking out the back window into the back yard. When I was tiny, the Dush family had a Xmas tree selling area really near Grandview where the Burger King now stands and we used to walk down to visit every day during the season. Such great memories of such a great guy and family! I and my family send you strength and our heartfelt condolences – I’ll treasure and share the memories – Linda (INFIELD) Wakefield
To all of Roger’s Family and extended Families including his Pine Tree Family, we extend our sympathies. May God let Roger rest in peace and may you be consoled by His love.
Our sincerest condolences go out to Rita, their children, grandchildren and family. We both worked at the Pine Tree Barn in the late 80’s/early 90’s. It was both an honor and a privilege to say we worked there. We loved our jobs, who we worked with and especially, who we worked for. Roger was a wonderful man who always made me feel welcome. Rita was someone who made me strive to work harder and do more with my life. Roger & Rita were more than “bosses” to me. They held me together many times when I wanted to fall to pieces. Scott and I hold so many precious memories of our time working there with Roger and Rita. We loved the few times we were able to return to Wooster and show our children this wonderful place that many, many people hold dear to their hearts. You and your family are in our thoughts as you grieve this loss. All our love – Joy & Scott
Dear Rita and Family. So very sorry to hear this news. Have known Bob, Betty and Roger for many years from the oCTA. When we would come to the PTB, I would go down to the house and visit with Bob and Betty on their back porch overlooking the lake. I was so fortunate to have known them for so many years. Will always have them in my heart and prayers. Chuck
Dear Rita
I don’t know how long Ron and I knew you both. I know seasons were not complete without a visit to Pine Tree Barn always something to look forward to..
Please accept my sincere condolence.
To Roger’s Family and Friends, Our deepest sympathies go out to you. May God, and the many good memories, sustain you; now and also in the future.. Our thoughts and prayers are for you and your families. Sincere condolences from Art Beerys, Smithville, Ohio
I extend my sincere condolences to Rita, Nancy, Ann and the entire family for their loss. Roger and I were childhood friends and although I only saw him a few times after I left Wooster, he and his family will always hold a special place in my heart.
We extend our most heart-felt sympathies to Roger’s friends and family, especially Rita. The few times that we talked to Roger, he was always caring, warm, and with a great sense of humor. Suddenly, there is one light less in this world.
Dear Rita and Family
I am so very sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. Prayers for you all during this most difficult time.
Dear Rita, Ann, Nancy and family,
I have so many wonderful memories of growing up with Roger and his sisters. We lived across the street on Grandview. Ball games,sledding,hanging out in Dush’s basement. As Nancy once said, it was like a tv sitcom during the 50’s. My sincere condolences to all of you.
Dear Rita and Family,
We are very sorry to hear of Rogers passing.
Since moving to the Wooster area we were delighted to find a real friend in Roger and The Pine Tree Barn.
Our sincere condolences to your family.
Dear Rita and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Roger’s passing. I have so many great memories of your gift shop, art shows and farm. Thank you and Roger for always being so kind to me and for carrying my art in your shop. Many prayers are going your way during this difficult time. My family’s sincere condolences to your family.