Benton County man dies in wind-fueled field fire

82-year-old Robert “Bob” Bush died Tuesday afternoon around 2:15 p.m. after sheriff's deputies say a gust of wind caused a controlled burn in his garden to get out of control.

It happened just outside his home at 2858 Highway 150 in Benton County, about three miles west of Urbana.

Bush was 82 years-old, but still had a regular job at Edward's Plumbing and Heating in Vinton.

“He'd help me mow and clear the shop and do general duties around the shop,” Bryan Edwards said. “He didn't have to be told what to do. He'd just do it.”

Bush worked at the shop for more than ten years.

“It was always good to see him. He was always very helpful. He never knew anything but work his whole life,” Edwards said.

Edwards says Bush was more than just an employee. He was a friend, and losing him like this was tough.

“It's hard to put into words how much it hurt to hear that,” Edwards said. “He didn't have a lot to say, but he would talk and he enjoyed coming into the shop.”

Even though he may have been quiet, he was the guy everyone knew in town and everyone will miss him.

Officials are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire and may release more details later.

Bush's wife, Evelyn, died last March. His daughter, Diana, died in 2007. His son, Delbert, lives in North Carolina.