Chiropractor, Dr. Richard E. Busch, Jr., breathed life into The American Chiropractor magazine in 1978, and shepherded it over the years alongside his children who continue carrying it on today.
Chiropractor, Dr. Richard E. Busch, Jr., breathed life into The American Chiropractor magazine in 1978, and shepherded it over the years alongside his children who continue carrying it on today.
All for 1 and for All!
IN LOVING MEMORY
Chiropractor, Dr. Richard E. Busch, Jr., breathed life into The American Chiropractor magazine in 1978, and shepherded it over the years alongside his children who continue carrying it on today.
TAC Celebrates the Life of Father, Chiropractor & Publisher
February 27,1943 - October 11, 2023
Dr. Richard E. Busch Jr., who was known as a beloved father, chiropractor and the publisher of The American Chiropractor Magazine, touched countless lives and made a profound impact on the field of chiropractic care.
He is survived by six loving children, Tracy, Richard, Tunde, Jaclyn, Joe, and J.R., along with his sister, Shari. Dr. Busch was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 45 years, Jean, and his parents, Richard and Alice.
A 1969 Palmer graduate, Dr. Busch ran a series of progressive chiropractic clinics across Indiana, including chiropractic, spinology, hypnotherapy, and emphasizing his Rosebusch chiropractic protocols for optimal patient results, in the interest of mentoring other chiropractors to experience the same success that he had experienced. His dedication to the profession, and chiropractors across the country led him to publish The American Chiropractor in 1978, which quickly became a significant voice in the profession, including several national seminars. This initial magazine grew into several other significant publications, including Baby Times magazine, as well as Chiropractic: The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation, an indexed peer reviewed journal in the chiropractic profession.
When asked in our 40th anniversary interview what it was that caused Dr. Busch to take up the profession of Chiropractic, he remembered back to his years at Indiana University (IU), a time when he was completing his Bachelors in Zoology. Dr. Busch reminisced, “across the street horn the old ATO (Alpha Tau Omega) house that I lived in while attending IU was a large science building with a quote attributed to Hippocrates that read Took well to the spine for the cause and prevention of disease.’ So when I heard about Palmer, I thought it was a natural fit. What a ride”.
As the self proclaimed 'Gucci Chiropractor' continued, “The mission was always to help chiropractors, not by doing the unusual, but by doing the usual unusually well, particularly through the transformative seminars we were doing at the tune. They helped the 'ordinary' chiropractor become an 'extraordinary' chiropractor merging concepts from many of the early greats, including my mentors through the philosophy of Galen Price, DC, Osteology as explained by Dr. Schmeidel, Radiology from Dr. Russel Erhardt, and the hypnotist William Jennings Bryant, MD.
Many of the things that I taught all those years ago are still being applied today. It's a real joy to look back and think about all the people I was able to work with, and help, and even greater still to see the magazine continue forward with my kids carrying on this important work."
"It is, and always has been, my contention that each of us builds the entire chiropractic profession by becoming a better doctor and a better person."
TAC founder, Dr. Busch will fondly be remembered for his signature #1 sign which can be seen in many photos taken of him. He taught that the #1 sign was a symbol and reminder to always do your best every day! And that you can achieve whatever you put your mind to, so aim high—remembering that, it doesn’t matter WHAT you do, but rather HOW you do it... that makes the difference! Every photo is a reminder to put “first things first” and that when you strive to be your best, the world is better for it. And rather than complaining and focusing on problems, he’d encourage being part of the solution through a life dedicated to constant growth, action, and a commitment to excellence.
This has been advice that The American Chiropractor team and the Busch family has lived by. So much so, that The American Chiropractor Magazine has risen in the ranks over the years— thanks to our founder’s vision and over 50,000 chiropractors, contributors, and sponsors —to become the #1 highest circulated and most-read magazine in the market. This achievement prompted and inspired the executive (and family) team photo (above) in which you’ll see Dr. Busch’s trademark “#1” sign.
Actually, the photo was meant to illustrate (using the baseball team metaphor) that The American Chiropractor wants YOU to participate in our #1 All Star Team every month, where we bring together the Best of the Best in chiropractic! Of course, the irony cannot be escaped and this cannot be a mere coincidence, as we pay homage to our beloved founder & father, to see that Dr. Busch’s legacy “#1” is alive and well... and multiplying!
“Most importantly,” Dr. Busch would emphasize, “NEVER be in competition with anyone except the previous version of yourself” He taught that it's always best to be in a "creative mindset" rather than a "competitive" one. "What I want for myself, I want for EVERYONE!" which is why he dedicated most of his life serving as a chiropractor and publisher to spread health, and as a practice coach, investor and entrepreneur to spread wealth. Dr. Busch taught that the real sign of a winner is to always be creating something NEW stalling with Yourself First. Look in the mirror and be the change. "If it is to be, it is up to me!" You are your own masterpiece. And the only difference between a failure and a winner is that the winner gets up one (#1) more time!
So whenever you see TAC's team proudly displaying the #1 sign, remember it's not about "being # 1" over anyone else, but rather about an endless commitment to excellence over the years. It's also about a family tradition and legacy started by The American Chiropractor founder and father, Dr. Richard Busch Jr., over 45 years ago. And we proudly carry it on today.
Turn to page 45 and you'll find in his own words, a memo published in the January/February 1988 issue titled "Get your 'But...' Out of the Rut" which paints a very familiar scene to the challenges we face today in 2024. Here’s hoping this advice will help you make this new year your best one (#1) yet!
From all of us at The American Chiropractor, In Loving Memory & Honor of our Founder & Father,
Happy New Year!
Make it a great one (#1)!
Dr. Richard E. Busch Jr.
Profile
PERSONAL
• Married to Jean Irelan Busch for 45 years
• Richard and Jeanie had 6 children and 16 grandchildren
PROFESSIONAL
• Graduated from Indiana University in 1964 and Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1969
• Founded the Busch Chiropractic Clinic in Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Opened a total of 3 successful clinics
• In 1978, The American Chiropractor magazine was born.
• That same year he started the Practice Management RoseBusch Seminars
• In 1981, Dr. Busch organized 774 C's Disneyland seminar in Anaheim, CA
• In 2006 and 2007, Dr. Busch orchestrated Chiropractic '06 and Chiropractic '07 seminars in Panama City, Panama
• Other contributions to chiropractic literature include Chiropractic: The Journal for Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation and Baby Times magazine.
• In addition to his contributions to the field of chiropractic, Dr. Busch was an economic visionary, trading commodities and futures for decades. His expertise in financial matters was just another facet of his multifaceted life, reflecting his commitment to excellence in all that he pursued.
A Family that works together, stays together! Upholding the Legacy, Continuing the Tradition Over the Years
