Ralph E. DeBusk

Ralph E. DeBusk, 92, died peacefully at home on Friday October 17, 2014. He was born in Smyth County, Virginia, January 26, 1922, and had lived in Kingsport since 1954.

He graduated from Emory and Henry College in 1943 with a degree in Chemistry and Mathematics and did graduate work in Statistics and Industrial Engineering through the University of Tennessee.

Ralph was employed nearly 38 years at Tennessee Eastman Company where he worked as a Chemist and Senior Statistician and was instrumental in various patents. Following retirement in 1984, he worked several years as a consultant in Statistical Process Control for a number of companies nationwide.

He was the author of technical papers in the fields of Chemistry and Statistics. He delivered papers in Applied Statistics at national meetings of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the American Society of Quality (ASQ), and at numerous Section and Division meetings of ASQ. He lectured at local colleges and universities and served as a part-time instructor at the University of Tennessee. Ralph taught courses in Applied Statistics for the Chemical and Process Industries and the Textile and Needle Trades Division of ASQ. He taught in the Tennessee Adult Education Program and the Tennessee Eastman Company "in plant" training program. He was a Fellow of ASQ, Chairman of the Chemical and Process Industries Division of ASQ and Chairman of the Northeast Tennessee Section of ASQ. He was listed in Who's Who in the South Southwest.

Ralph was a veteran of World War II, a charter member of the Cosmopolitan Kiwanis Club of Kingsport and served four years as Secretary of the Sullivan County Election Commission. In addition to membership in ASQ, he was a member of the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Industrial Engineers.

He has been a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church since 1954 and has served the church in various capacities including Church Council since that time.

Ralph was preceded in death by his father Claude T. DeBusk and his mother Mabel Litton DeBusk; and his two sisters, Helen Matthews and Dorothy Rogers.

Survivors are his wife of 71 years, Edith McCroskey DeBusk to whom he was devoted; his brother, John L. DeBusk of Saltville, VA; daughter, Betty D. Turner and her husband, Don of Ellenboro, NC; son, David F. DeBusk and his wife, Dawn of Jonesborough, TN; daughter Janet D. Allen and husband, Tom of Oak Ridge, TN; six grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 10:45-11:45 am followed by funeral services at 12 pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Steven Counts officiating. Graveside service at Oak Hill Cemetery will be held afterward.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 800 Broad Street, Kingsport, TN 37660.