Ralph Busse, Jr.

Ralph Busse passed away Wed. afternoon July 24, 2019, at the age of 89.  A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel, 8220 Woodway Dr. with Rev. Jeff Fritcher officiating.  Inurnment will be at a later date in Stamford Chapel Cemetery.  A reception will immediately follow the service in the Parlor of Grace Gardens Funeral Home.

Mr. Busse was born Dec. 1, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Ralph and Dorothy (Murray) Busse.  He was a 1948 graduate of Stenmetz High School and continued his education at the University of Illinois, earning a bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering in 1956.  On November 30, 1996, he married the former  Emma Loi Hillman in Waco, Texas.

During his life, he enjoyed fishing, golfing, and hunting.  He was a member of the Legency Bass Club, with whom he spent many days fishing.  He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan, as well as, a devoted Baylor University Lady Bears Basketball fan.

Mr. Busse had 32 patents pertaining to drilling rigs and platforms.  He was appointed by the president of the United States to co-author the API Safety Standards.  In 1956 to 1964, he was employed by Chevron Oil in New Orleans, LA where he designed numerous offshore drilling platforms for use in the Gulf of Mexico.  He was instrumental in designing the first offshore platform capable of drilling in 100 feet of water.

In 1964, he was employed by Boeing to work on the Saturn V Program where he designed test firing towers and rocket transport vehicles. In 1969, he left as manager of manufacturing.   In 1969, he was employed by Cabot Corp. in the machinery division, designing offshore work over rigs.   He was also in charge of and initiated the design of the entire line of drilling equipment for Cabot Corp.  From 1976 to 1981, he was vice president of engineering and sales for Wilson Manufacturing Co. in Wichita Falls, Texas.

In 1981, Ralph moved to Waco to establish National Cabot Rigs.  In 1983, he formed BECO Engineering, investigating and testifying as to the cause of drilling rig accidents.  He was a professional engineer in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

Also preceding him in death was his brother, Robert Busse.

Survivors include his wife Loi Busse, a son, Steven Ralph Busse; two daughters, Linda Osborne and husband Valton, Terri Lynn Senior; twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the nurses and staff of Providence Hospice Place for their excellent care of Ralph.